\ 


5<S8. 


,^^—.  <a-i^.  \t</i   . 


THE 


MOTHERS  OF  THE  BIBLE. 


BY 

MRS.   S.  G.   ASHTON. 


WITH     AN     INTRODUCTORY     ESSAY, 

BY 

REV.    A.    L.    STONE. 


BOSTON: 
PUBLISHED  BY  JOHN  P.  JEWETT  AND   COMPANY. 

CLEVELAND,  OHIO: 
JEWETT,   PROCTOR   &  WORTHINGTON. 

NEW   YORK: 

SHELDON,  LAMPORT   &   BLAKEMAN. 
1855. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1854,  by 

JOHN    P.    JEWETT    &    Co., 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


C  A  M  I)  R  I  D  0  E  : 
ALLEN  ASD   1 AJUN1IAM,   PKI.MEK3. 


Stereotyped   by 
New  EngUnd  Tjpe  and  Stereotype 


ffo 
MY      MOTHER, 

AS    A 

SLIGHT   TOKEN    OF   THE   ESTIMATION    IN   WHICH   I    HOLD   HER 
UNFORdETTINQ    LOVE, 

5TJMS    Volumt 

IS    GRATEFULLY    INSCRIBED. 


2051016 


INTRODUCTION. 

BY   REV.    A.    L.   STONE. 

Two  immediate  objects  seem  to  have  influenced  the  author 
of  the  following  pages,  in  preparing  them  for  the  press  :  one, 
to  prompt  her  readers  to  a  diligent  and  careful  study  of  the 
Bible ;  the  other,  to  quicken,  in  those  who  sustain  the  mater- 
nal relation,  a  sense  of  their  responsibility,  and  to  inspire 
them  with  a  more  prayerful  devotion  to  their  solemn  trust. 
The  book  itself  is  the  offspring  of  this  double  parentage, 
—  the  habit  of  the  daily  study  of  the  Scriptures,  and  the 
pressure  of  a  mother's  duty.  The  richest  recompense  it  can 
bring  to  the  writer  will  be  the  knowledge  that  it  has  led 
other  minds,  trembling  and  fainting  under  that  pressure,  to 
seek  light  and  guidance,  strength  and  hope,  in  the  teachings 
of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

The  wealth  of  the  Scripture  fulness  in  respect  to  any  com- 
manding interest  of  life  is,  except  to  the  earnest  and  laborious 
student,  a  mine  of  unknown  riches.  The  careless  reader,  in 
lightly  skimming  the  surface,  may  catch  the  sheen  of  here 
and  there  a  gem,  the  glimmer  of  golden  dust ;  but  the  rarer 
jewels  of  truth,  the  deep-chambered  veining  of  the  precious 
ore,  are  to  such  eyes  hidden  treasures.  The  thoughts  of  God, 
by  which  he  would  make  us,  the  pupils  of  his  tuition,  wise 
unto  salvation,  are  not  in  their  clear  but  profound  depths  so 
easily  fathomed.  Shutting  up  all  this  lore  of  spiritual  things 
in  one  volume,  our  divine  Teacher  has  meant  us  to  search  and 
master  that  one  book  with  a  patience  and  thoroughness  of 
A* 


VI  INTRODUCTION. 

acquisition  beyond  those  of  all  other  scholarship.  If  this 
book  were  a  systematic  treatise  upon  the  topics  comprehended 
within  its  broad  horizon,  like  a  volume  of  theological  essays, 
the  demand  for  this  steady  and  keen-eyed  investigation  were 
possibly  not  so  urgent.  But  the  truths  it  contains  are  scat- 
tered along  its  pages,  in  seeming  disorder  and  disconnection. 
Here  stands  a  sublime  doctrine ;  next  comes  an  impassioned 
song  ;  next,  a  prophet's  vision  of  the  far  future  ;  then  a  page 
of  history,  or  a  chapter  of  biography,  and  then  some  earnest 
exhortation.  The  sweet  voices  of  the  bards,  the  seer's  mystic 
utterances,  the  confused  shouts  of  the  warriors,  fall  upon  our 
ear  in  the  same  wave  of  sound.  The  Saviour  himself  taught 
no  body  of  divinity  in  philosophic  form.  He  spake  and 
wrought  as  occasion  prompted.  The  scenes  of  his  wander- 
ings, the  insulting  question  of  some  haughty  scribe,  the  peti- 
tion of  some  poor  sufferer  for  healing,  or  the  death  of  one  he 
loved,  were  the  texts  upon  which  his  lips  distilled  wisdom. 
So  we  look  for  one  doctrine  in  Galilee,  for  another  at  the 
well  of  Sychar,  and  for  another  in  the  desert.  Out  of  the 
utterances  of  four  thousand  years  we  have  to  gather  up  the 
sublime  whole  of  revelation. 

It  is  not  strange,  therefore,  that  we  are  commanded,  by 
that  word  of  intense  significance,  to  SEARCH  the  Scriptures. 
This  is,  not  to  sit  carelessly  down,  in  the  hurrying  morning, 
and  fling  open  a  leaf  anywhere,  and  glance  the  eye  at  speed 
along  the  lines  of  a  short  chapter,  or  the  half  of  a  long  one. 
It  is  not  to  hang  at  late  evening,  with  heavy  eyelids,  over  a 
brief  Psalm,  satisfied  that  we  have  thus  honored  the  word 
of  God. 

"  SEARCH,"  as  the  gold-hunter  for  the  glittering  scales  he 
covets ;  as  the  shepherd  of  the  fold  for  a  lamb  straying  in 
the  wilderness ;  as  the  woman  of  the  parable  for  her  lost 
piece  of  silver.  We  are  to  STUDY  the  Scriptures,  portion  by 


INTRODUCTION.  VII 

portion,  patiently,^  intently,  with  commentaries  and  Bible 
dictionaries,  and  cyclopedias,  and  whatsoever  helps  we  can 
command ;  and,  first  of  all,  and  most  of  all,  with  wrestling 
prayer  for  divine  illumination,  as  scholars  of  the  Spirit. 

It  will  be  one  of  the  happiest  influences  of  these  sketches, 
as  it  has  been  their  chief  inspiration,  if  they  awaken  in  any 
soul  a  new  relish  for  the  Book  of  books,  and  a  fresh  purpose 
to  commune  more  intimately  with  its  celestial  voices. 

And  for  none  were  such  an  influence  more  precious  and 
blessed,  than  for  one  sustaining  the  tender  relation,  and 
charged  with  the  solemn  responsibility,  of  A  MOTHER.  As  the 
joy  of  maternity  is  hers ;  as  she  bears  and  nurtures  the  new 
life  waking  to  a  deathless  being  ;  as  its  first  pulses  of  vitality 
and  consciousness  beat  next  to  her  heart,  and  beneath  her  eye ; 
as  none  can  come,  in  the  tenderness  and  closeness  of  this  nat- 
ural tie,  between  her  and  her  child ;  so  the  earliest,  nearest, 
and  most  determinate  forces  that  mould  the  character  of  that 
young  aspirant  for  immortality,  are  those  she  wields.  They 
are  shed  silently  as  dews  of  night.  Their  author  may  be 
altogether  unconscious,  and  purposeless  in  their  administration. 
But  none  the  less  are  they  potent  and  controlling.  The  first 
sights  those  wondering  eyes  open  upon,  the,  first  sounds  that 
fall  upon  the  ear,  all  the  surroundings  of  the  cradle  and  the 
nursery,  leave  images  of  themselves  on  that  young  brain  never 
to  be  effaced,  and  shaping  the  first  rudimental  elements  of 
character. 

How  many  unwritten  histories,  one  day  to  be  published, 
keep  within  their  hidden  volumes  the  memorial  of  these  infi- 
nitesimal and  subtle  influences  that  have  the  first  access  to  the 
heart,  and  inweave  themselves  with  its  earliest  sentiments  and 
passions  ! 

How  needful  that  a  relation,  so  linked  with  human  destinies 
here  and  hereafter,  should  be  instructed  and  furnished  out  of 
1 


VIII  INTRODUCTION. 

the  Divine  Manual!  —  that  all  which  is  warning  and  all  which 
is  consoling  in  the  historic  examples  which  it  records  of  such 
a  relation,  should  press  with  its  hopes  and  fears  the  maternal 
heart !  What  other  light  shines  so  clear  to  guide  ?  —  what 
other  wisdom  can  give  safe  responses  when  this  momentous 
question  exercises  that  heart  ?  "  For  what  end,  and  by  what 
principles  and  methods,  shall  I  train  my  child  ?  " 

To  awaken  this  question  with  unthinking  spirits ;  to  enter 
with  quick  and  large  sympathies  into  the  solicitudes  of  every 
Christian  mother  ;  to  gather  into  one  picture  gallery,  from  the 
wide  ranges  and  scattered  sketches  of  inspiration,  the  portrait- 
ures of  those  in  the  elder  ages  who  wrought  blessing  or  curs- 
ing in  this  one  relation  ;  to  lead  all,  who  may  gaze  with  inter- 
est upon  the  faint  copies,  to  seek  for  themselves  the  presence 
of  the  originals,  and  so  to  help  the  sanetification  of  the  homes 
of  our  land,  is  the  mission  on  which  this  little  volume  is  sent 
forth. 

With  what  simple  beauty  and  pathos,  with  what  careful 
fidelity  to  sacred  history,  and  with  what  diligence  of  investi- 
gation, the  author  has  accomplished  her  task,  we  may  confi- 
dently leave  her  readers  to  testify. 

"  HILLSIDE,"  ROXBURY,  ) 
OCTOBER,  1854.         j 


CONTENTS. 


THE  BIBLE, 5 

THE  MOTHERS  OF  THE  BIBLE, 8 

EVE, 11 

OTHER  ANTEDILUVIAN  MOTHERS, 22 

SARAH  AND  HAGAR, 31 

THE  WIFE  OF  LOT, 60 

REBEKAH, 65 

LEAH  AND  RACHEL 90 

JOCHEBEU,    102 

THE  MOTHERS  OF  ISRAEL  IN  EGYPT, 110 

ZIPPORAH, 120 

THE  MOTHERS  OF  ISRAEL  AT  HOREB, 129 

THE  WIDOWED  MOTHERS  OF  ISRAEL  AT  HOREB 137 

NAOMI  AND  RUTH, 146 

HAX.N-AII, 156 

ICHABOD'S  MOTHER 169 

THE  MOTHER  OF  SAMSON, 177 

RIZPAH 188 

BATIISHEBA, 200 

ABIGAIL 211 


X  CONTENTS.  \ 

THE  MOTHER  OF  REHOBOAM 221 

TIIE  MOTHER  OF  ABIJAH, 233 

JEZEBEL, > 240 

ATHALIAH 248 

TUB  WIDOW  OF  ZAREPHATH, 261 

THE  SIIUXAMITE, 269 

THE  MOTHER  OF  JOB'S  CHILDREN, 283 

ELIZABETH, 290 

MART, 296 

THE  WIDOW  OF  NAIN, 311 

THE  SYROPIIEXICIAN  MOTHER, 321 

THE  GRANDMOTHER  AND  MOTHER  OF  TIMOTHY, 328 


THE 


MOTHEES  OF  THE  BIBLE, 


THE  BIBLE. 

MY  Bible  !  my  precious,  blessed  Bible !  what 
were  life  without  thee  ?  Guide  of  my  otherwise 
wandering  feet,  solace  of  all  my  cares !  Only 
competent  instructor  of  my  ignorance  —  truest, 
safest  counsellor  in  difficulty  —  most  cheerful 
companion  in  hours  of  darkness  !  Rich  treasure- 
house,  in  which  are  stored  the  thoughts  of  my 
God,  his  purposes  of  mercy  toward  a  ruined 
world  !  Inexhaustible  fountain  of  pure  and  sweet 
waters,  from  which  I  daily  drink  and  am  re- 
freshed ! 

"  With  thee  conversing  I  forget  all  time." 
My  dull,  earthly  spirit,  quickened  by  the  spirit 
divine  which  illumines  thy  pages,  rises  invigor- 
ated and  gladdened  from  every  fresh  communion. 
1* 


6  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

With  thee,  I  witness,  delighted,  creating  wonders. 
I  see  earth,  robed  in  beauty,  spring  from  chaos  at 
the  Almighty  mandate,  and  listen  to  the  song  of 
the  morning  stars.  I  converse  with  the  first 
parents  of  our  race  amid  their  Eden  joys,  and 
shed  tears  of  pity  over  the  bitter  and  dark  reverse. 
With  Noah  and  his  liberated  family  I  rejoice,  as 
the  long-absent  sun  lights  the  mountain- top,  and 
from  the  sacred  altar  goes  up  the  incense  of  grat- 
itude to  the  God  of  winds  and  waves.  I  listen 
and  admire  while  Abraham  pleads,  and  Moses 
talks  with  God  as  a  man  talketh  with  his  friend. 
For  me  the  sweet  psalmist  of  Israel  pours  forth 
rich  strains  of  heavenly  melody,  and  the  prophet 
thunders  the  threatenings  of  Jehovah  upon  his 
backsliding  people.  I  follow  down  the  long  track 
of  ages  with  eager  step,  beholding  on  every  side 
the  wonders  God  hath  wrought,  and  singing  ever, 
as  I  go,  "  Praise  ye  the  Lord !  Praise  him  for 
his  mighty  acts !  Happy  is  he  that  hath  the 
God  of  Jacob  for  his  help!"  Folded  and  laid 
aside  as  a  garment  by  his  powerful  hand,  I  see 
the  fading  glories  of  the  old  dispensation  give 
place  to  simpler,  but  more  delightful  and  signifi- 


THE    BIBLE.  7 

cant  ceremonies.  Touched  by  his  finger,  I  see 
Judea's  pride,  the  joy  of  the  whole  earth,  the 
city  of  her  God,  crumbling  to  dust ;  and  on  its 
ruins,  built  by  Almighty  power,  there  rises  an 
edifice  in  comparison  of  which  the  former  shall 
not  be  mentioned  nor  come  into  mind. 

But,  0,  most  precious  of  all  the  joys  thou  hast 
in  store  for  those  that  love  thee  is  the  record  of 
His  life  and  death  who  is  the  believer's  portion, 
whom  having  not  seen  he  loves,  his  refuge  and 
hiding-place,  the  source  of  joy  unspeakable  to 
his  soul.  Here,  indeed,  I  am  fed  with  living 
bread.  Again  and  again,  with  new  wonder  and 
love,  I  study  the  history  of  my  Redeemer's 
earthly  sojourn.  With  intense  and  absorbing 
interest  I  ponder  on  his  mysterious  birth,  his 
wonderful  childhood,  the  cares  and  labors  of  his 
most  sorrowful  life,  and  the  mighty  agonies  of 
his  atoning  death. 

There  is  no  theme  interesting  to  man  of  which 
thou  canst  not  speak.  Blest  book  of  God  !  Vain 
is  it  that  I  strive  to  show  thy  worth  to  me  ! 


THE   MOTHERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

WE  propose,  in  the  pages  of  this  volume,  to 
record  the  results  of  an  earnest  and  diligent  study 
of  the  Bible  with  reference  to  this  particular 
topic,  and  to  gather  together,  in  as  interesting  a 
manner  as  we  may,  such  instruction  and  encour- 
agement as  it  will  afford  mothers  in  their  import- 
ant work. 

Of  all  the  mothers  who  have  lived  in  our  world, 
those  who  are  mentioned  in  the  Bible  are  the  only 
ones  of  whom  God  has  ever  spoken.  To  millions 
upon  millions  he  has  given  the  care  of  children, 
and  capabilities  for  their  proper  nurture.  Many 
of  them,  doubtless,  have  been  faithful  mothers, 
whom  he  has  blessed,  whose  prayers  he  hsis 
heard,  whose  children  he  has  numbered  among 
his  jewels.  But  whether  he  has  approved  or 
censured  we  know  not  from  his  own  mouth,  and 
shall  not  know  till  the  final  day.  Some  have 
passed  from  earth ;  and  some  still  live,  but  their 
record  is  not  here.  In  the  Bible,  however,  there 


THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

are  the  names  of  those  concerning  whom  God  has 
spoken.  We  do  not  know,  until  we  give  ourselves 
to  the  study,  how  many  there  are,  nor  how  much  is 
said  of  them.  But,  be  it  more  or  less,  it  will  be 
deeply  interesting  and  important.  It  will,  per- 
haps, enable  us  to  understand  better  how  the 
heart  of  our  heavenly  Father  is  affected  toward 
the  mothers  of  the  earth  —  with  what  feelings  he 
regards  them,  as  they  toil  on  amid  their  cares  and 
anxieties.  It  will  bind  us  to  him  in  new  bonds. 
It  will  elevate  our  views.  It  will  refine  and 
purify  our  affections.  It  will  make  the  relations 
we  sustain  appear  more  sacred  and  solemn  in  our 
eyes,  as  we  shall  see  them  taking  hold  on  eternity. 
It  will  lead  us  to  more  earnest  prayer  —  to  more 
cheerful,  hopeful  efforts  for  the  best  .welfare  of 
our  precious  ones.  It  will  endear  to  us  the  holy 
Scriptures,  the  invaluable  communications  of  sov- 
ereign wisdom  and  love  to  us  who  are  ignorant 
and  erring.  Let  us  cast  aside  the  indifference 
which  even  Christians  are  prone  to  feel  to  this 
book  of  God,  and  come  to  the  study  of  it  as  to  a 
fresh  fountain,  and  in  the  spirit  of  those  who  look 
eagerly  for  instruction  to  a  wise  and  loved  teacher. 


10  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

To  breathe  thus  a  while,  from  time  to  time,  the 
pure  atmosphere  of  God's  presence,  will  give  us 
new  spiritual  health  and  vigor.  To  become 
acquainted  with  his  thoughts  and  opinions  will 
greatly  enrich  our  minds  and  hearts,  and  furnish 
us  a  more  correct  standard  than  we  can  possibly 
gain  from  the  world,  by  which  to  measure  all 
relations,  and  duties,  and  promised  gain. 

We  offer  our  earnest  prayer,  that  he  who 
inspired  and  dictated  this  volume  will  enable  us 
to  gain  from  it  all  the  instruction  which  he 
intended  it  should  convey. 


EVE. 

PERHAPS  no  character  of  earthly  history,  if  we 
except  only  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  gathers  about 
itself  so  much  of  interest,  calls  forth  such  deep 
and  varying  emotions,  or  affords  such  important 
instruction,  as  does  that  of  our  first  mother  ; 
certainly  in  no  other  do  we  find  such  marked 
contrasts,  such  strange  vicissitudes  Hers  was 
indeed  a  checkered  life.  It  could  hardly  be 
compared,  like  ours,  to  an  "  April  day ; "  the 
clouds  were  too  black  and  portentous,  the  sun- 
shine too  brilliant.  Not  on  her  path  shone  "a 
little  sun,"  nor  dropped  "a  little  rain."  The 
effulgence  of  heaven  and  the  driving  tempest 
were  fitter  types.  To  her  lips  was  presented  a 
draught  of  pure,  unalloyed,  and  perfect  happi- 
ness. For  a  few  brief  days  she  tasted  bliss  com- 
plete. But  the  cup  from  which  she  drank  through 
lingering  centuries  contained  dregs  of  bitterest 
woe.  She  listened,  delighted,  to  the  thrilling 
tones  of  nature's  harp,  touched  by  Almighty  skill, 


12  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

and  tuned  to  nicest  harmony ;  and  on  her  ear 
grated  the  harsh  and  fearful  discord,  when  the 
curious  strings  were  shattered  by  her  own  dis- 
obedient hand.  To  her  it  was  given  to  look  upon 
life  in  its  perfection,  when  the  earth  yielded  her 
luxuriant  fruits  spontaneously ;  when  flowers  of 
every  hue  and  thornless  roses  blossomed  about 
her  path  ;  when  animals  of  various  names,  obe- 
dient to  man,  and  gentle  in  disposition,  gambolled 
and  frisked  at  her  side,  and  there  was  none  to 
molest  or  make  afraid.  And  she  gazed  also,  in 
sorrowful  amaze,  at  the  bitter  contrast,  when  the 
ground,  cursed  for  man's  sake,  brought  forth 
thorns  and  thistles,  and  universal  war  raged 
among  the  tribes  of  the  forest.  She  alone,  of 
all  her  daughters,  enjoyed  in  its  completeness, 
unmarred  and  entire,  true  conjugal  bliss.  Fairest 
of  them  all  in  person,  and  most  excellent  in  char- 
acter, she  was  most  worthy  of  the  love  which  she 
received  from  her  husband,  such  love  as  no  son 
of  Adam  has  since  been  able  to  bestow.  But 
even  on  this  domestic  happiness  she  saw  the 
blighting  mildew  fall,  and  her  path  of  life  thence- 
forth, even  when  trodden  by  her  husband's  side, 


EVE.  13 

led  often  through  dark,  and  wretched,  and  jarring 
scenes.  Our  mother  Eve  !  How  has  her  name 
ever  summoned  the  most  conflicting  emotions  and 
thoughts,  —  approval  and  censure,  admiration 
and  contempt,  blessing  and  cursing'!  Around 
her  poetry  has  thrown  all  its  enchantments,  por- 
traying her  beautiful  and  lovely  beyond  compare  ; 
and  on  her  devoted  head  have  the  maledictions  of 
a  race  been  showered,  as  on  the  most  sinful  of 
God's  creation.  The  stern  and  truth-telling 
oracles  of  God,  neither  charmed  by  poetry  nor 
swayed  by  prejudice,  present  her  to  us,  in  one 
hour  exalted,  dignified,  and  holy,  the  fit  com- 
panion of  man  in  his  best  estate,  worthy  the 
society  of  angels,  and  even  of  God  himself;  in 
the  next,  fallen,  weak  and  sinful,  the  victim 
of  Satan's  artful  wiles,  an  object  of  pity  to  all 
holy  beings,  and  the  wretched  subject  of  divine 
displeasure. 

EVE    AS    A    MOTHER. 

We  might  follow  the  contrasts  presented  in 
Eve's  history  to  any  extent,  or  dwell  upon  the 
absorbing  topics  afforded  by  her  state  of  primeval 

2 


14  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

innocence  in  Eden  ;  for  it  is  there  we  best  love  to 
contemplate  her.  But  our  design  leads  us  else- 
where. We  wish  to  study  her  character  as  a 
mother  ;  to  look  upon  her  in  relation  to  her  own 
immediate  family,  and  gather  such  lessons  as  we 
may  from  the  "  brief  memorial"  which  the  sacred 
writer  has  left  on  record  concerning  her.  The 
picture  is  not  a  bright  one.  Guilt  and  fear  have 
drawn  the  outline,  and  a  violated  law  has  hung 
the  heavens  with  dark  and  threatening  glooin. 
Yet  it  is  not  all  dark.  Despair  has  not  been  per- 
mitted to  touch  it  with  her  death-dyed  pencil. 
Hope  shows  here  and  there  an  opening  in  the 
clouds  ;  and  Faith,  best  messenger  from  God  to 
sinful  men,  has  hung  it  where  celestial  rays  stream 
brightly  upon  it,  and  insensibly  draw  the  gazer's 
thoughts  upward  to  their  source  —  to  Him  who 
in  the  midst  of  judgment  still  remembers  mercy, 
and  who  would  thus  point  erring  creatures  to  a 
dwelling  in  his  own  abode  of  eternal  light. 

It  is  no  longer  Paradise,  but  an  earthly  home, 
upon  which  we  look.  It  was,  without  doubt,  a 
rude  and  simple  habitation  which  Adam  and  Eve 
first  tenanted.  Perhaps  it  was  provided,  as  was 


EVE.  15 

their  first  clothing,  by  the  immediate  care  of  God. 
However  this  may  be,  it  served  for  shelter  and 
repose,  and  was  to  them  a  home.  From  this  spot 
Adam  went  daily  forth  to  earn  by  the  sweat  of 
his  brow  their  needed  subsistence,  leaving  Eve  to 
her  lighter  but  not  less  necessary  toil.  Here,  day 
after  day,  she  pursued  her  avocations,  and  com- 
muned with  her  own  thoughts.  Already  had  the 
dreaded  curse  commenced  its  work.  Often  sad 
and. dispirited,  weary,  weak  and  suffering,  filled 
with  forebodings  of  the  future,  pressed  by  sore 
regret  for  the  past,  alarmed  by  unwonted  distress 
in  all  her  frame,  she  began  to  understand  the 
meaning  of  those  fearful  words,  "  I  will  greatly 
multiply  the  sorrow  of  thy  conception."  Added 
to  this,  with  her,  doubtless,  ever  abode  a  deep 
feeling  of  sinfulness,  a  consciousness  of  innocence 
departed,  a  bitter  remembrance  of  what  she  had 
been,  and  a  humiliating  sense  of  her  altered 
character.  The  serenity  of  mind,  the  integrity 
of  purpose,  the  purity  of  soul,  Avere  gone  forever; 
and,  worse  than  all,  she  knew,  she  felt,  that  her 
children  would  inherit,  not  her  glory,  but  her 
sin  and  shame.  Our  deepest  sympathies  are 


16  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

called  forth  as  we  behold  her  thus.  But  even 
then  all  was  not  darkness  in  her  soul.  The  same 
voice  that  pronounced  the  curse  had  also  prom- 
ised deliverance  from  it,  and  that  deliverance  was 
to  come  to  her  as  a  mother.  Expecting  this, 
Eve  probably  looked  forward  to  the  birth  of  the 
first  human  child  with  such  emotions  as  no  mother 
has  since  experienced. 

At  length  the  day  came.  "  She  brought  forth 
her  first-born  son."  We  can  imagine  something 
of  the  joy  and  gratitude  which  followed  her 
anguish,  as  with  her  husband  she  gazed  upon  the 
helpless  being.  A  mother's  instincts  taught  her, 
all  inexperienced  and  unaided  as  she  was,  to  care 
for  its  wants  and  support  its  feebleness.  How 
many  exclamations  of  surprise  and  admiration 
and  affection  were  bestowed  on  this  first  infant, 
we  do  not  know.  The  theme  of  many  an  earnest 
conversation,  an  object  of  ever-increasing  interest, 
we  feel  that  his  coming  brought  new  happiness  to 
the  sad  hearts  of  his  parents,  and  was  to  them  a 
proof  that  God,  though  justly  displeased,  was  still 
their  friend,  even  as  in  their  sinless  days.  Only 
one  expression  from  his  mother's  lips  is  recorded, 


EVE.  17 

but  that  reveals  a  hidden  world  of  thought :  "I 
have  gotten  a  man  from  the  Lord."  Poor  Eve  ! 
how  many  experiences  of  hope  deferred  were  yet 
to  be  her  portion  !  How  bitter  was  to  be  her  dis- 
appointment now  !  The  Lord  had  promised  that 
her  seed  should  bruise  the  serpent's  head,  and  she 
verily  thought  this  had  been  he. 

Time  passed  on,  and  she  was  the  mother  of 
another  son  ;  and  we  infer  from  the  sacred  narra- 
tive, though  no  direct  mention  is  made  of  them, 
that  daughters  also  graced  this  first  human  home. 
Here  we  wish  for  more  light.  We  long  for  some 
account  of  that  family  circle.  We  can  hardly 
rest  satisfied  to  know  so  little  on  a  subject  which 
interests  us  so  deeply.  We  can,  indeed,  imagine 
them  a  bright  and  happy  group,  and  picture  to 
ourselves  their  probable  circumstances.  But  we 
have  a  thousand  questions  to  ask,  and  especially 
concerning  their  mother's  daily  instructions  and 
care.  Exhaustless  themes  we  know  she  had  on 
which  to  dwell,  and  we  are  persuaded  that  she 
lost  no  opportunity  of  impressing  the  lessons 
which  she  had  learned  by  bitter  experience.  We 
seem  to  see  their  animated  looks  as  she  described 
2* 


18  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

the  beauty  and  glory  of  her  Eden  home  ;  and  the 
awe  which  would  steal  over  their  young  faces,  as 
with  sorrowing  heart  she  told  them  of  the  sin  of 
their  parents,  and  of  Jehovah's  displeasure,  which 
banished  them  thence.  We  can  deem  that  they 
were  never  weary  of  listening  to  the  oft-told  but 
ever-wonderful  tale.  We  can  understand,  too, 
that  Adam  and  Eve  both  regarded  with  intense 
anxiety  the  unfolding  minds  and  hearts  of  their 
children.  To  any  true  mother  the  development 
of  character  in  her  child  is  a  source  of  deepest 
solicitude.  But  how  earnestly  must  Eve  have 
watched  from  day  to  day  the  working  of  that 
deadly  poison  which  her  own  folly  had  infused  ! 
What  joy  must  have  been  hers  when  she  saw 
a  disposition  to  love  and  obey  their  Maker  in 
any  of  her  little  flock !  and  we  can  well  believe 
that,  as  she  marked  evil  tempers  and  rebellious 
passions, 

"  Her  smitten  conscience  felt  as  sharp  a  pain 
As  if  she  fell  from  innocence  again." 

Over  these   scenes  of   daily  life  —  over  her 
hopes  and  fears,  her  cares  and  sorrows  —  the  veil 


EVE.  19 

of  oblivion  has  fallen.  We  ask  in  vain  concern- 
ing them  all.  We  shall  never  know,  until  we 
meet  our  first  mother  in  heaven,  what  we  would 
most  wish  to  learn.  Through  long,  long  cen- 
turies her  life  was  lengthened  out.  She  saw  her 
loved  and  gentle  Abel  all  ghastly  in  death,  mur- 
dered by  him  who  at  his  birth  was  to  her  the 
promised  of  the  Lord.  She  saw  many  sons  and 
daughters  around  her,  and  their  descendants  for 
nearly  a  thousand  years.  She  saw  the  earth  filled 
with  violence  and  wickedness,  and  beheld  her  own 
children  debased  by  idolatry,  and  wilfully  ignorant 
of  the  God  whose  presence  she  and  her  husband 
had  so  often  welcomed  as  their  chiefest  joy,  the 
crowning  delight  of  Paradise.  Bitter  proofs  of 
Satan's  malignant  influence  she  saw  on  every 
side  ;  but  it  was  not  permitted  her  to  hail  the 
Deliverer,  for  whom  she  still,  without  doubt,  con- 
tinued to  look  until  her  eyes  were  dim,  and  her 
form  was  bowed  with  age. 

But  the  evening  came  to  her,  which  sooner  or 
later  comes  to  all.  The  shadows  of  death  fell 
upon  her,  and  in  some  spot  of  earth  she  has  a 
grave.  When,  or  where,  or  how  she  died,  we  are 


20  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

not  told,  nor  whether  she  departed  in  peace.  But 
we  receive  the  impression,  we  scarcely  know  how, 
perhaps  from  her  exclamation  at  the  birth  of 
Cain,  that  she  died  in  the  faith  of  a  Redeemer. 
We  feel,  as  we  have  said,  that  he  was  her  life- 
long hope,  and  we  expect  to  meet  her  in  that 
higher  and  more  delightful  Paradise,  whose  joys 
have  long  since  compensated  her  for  the  sorrows 
of  earth. 

We  have  but  briefly  and  faintly  shadowed  forth 
some  of  the  thoughts  which  suggest  themselves 
as  we  study  the  history  of  Eve.  One  lesson  we 
would  gather,  and  our  labor  shall  not  then  be 
vain.  We  would  learn  from  her  to  estimate  the 
true  value  of  the  favor  of  God.  That  favor  she 
once  enjoyed.  In  the  eyes  of  the  infinite  Jeho- 
vah she  was  sinless  and  pure,  and  beneath  his 
smile  her  days  were  passed.  Bright  days  they 
were,  of  unmingled  bliss.  How  wretched  and 
heart-sick  must  she  have  been  when  the  smile 
was  withdrawn,  and  her  disobedience  had  brought 
in  its  stead  a  frown  of  displeasure !  We  who  have 
lived  from  our  infancy  in  the  cold  atmosphere  of 
a  revolted  world,  amid  griefs,  and  pains,  and 


EVE.  21 

death,  and  who  ever  look  upon  second  causes, 
can  understand  little  of  the  connection  which 
Eve  saw  between  transgression  and  its  conse- 
quences. To  her,  the  approbation  of  God  was 
only  another  name  for  all  her  joy  in  Eden,  and 
his  displeasure  was  the  immediate  source  of  every 
sorrow  she  endured.  Let  us  endeavor  ourselves 
to  appreciate  this  truth  more  fully  than  we  have 
ever  done,  and  teach  it  in  all  its  extent  to  our 
children.  "  His  favor  is  life  ;  his  loving-kind- 
ness is  better  than  life." 


OTHER  ANTEDILUVIAN  MOTHERS. 

IT  may  be  deemed  irrelevant  to  our  subject, 
and  perhaps  useless,  to  dwell  even  for  a  moment 
on  the  antediluvian  history  of  the  world,  or  upon 
the  period  between  the  flood  and  the  call  of  Abra- 
ham, since  during  that  long  period  there  is  nc 
history  of  the  life  of  any  mother,  and  scarcely  is 
the  name  of  one  mentioned.  Yet  we  know  that 
the  human  race  multiplied  fast ;  that  there  were 
thousands  of  mothers  then  living  ;  and  we  may 
possibly  gather  something  of  interest  concerning 
them,  if  we  study  closely.  Be  this  as  it  may,  it 
is  necessary  that  we  gain  some  distinct  and  accu- 
rate knowledge  of  the  condition  and  habits  of 
men  at  that  remote  era,  in  order  that  we  may 
more  fully  comprehend  the  character  and  mission 
of  those  mothers  who  will  occupy  our  future 
attention. 

The  first  mother  mentioned  after  Eve  is  the 
wife  of  Cain.  Little,  indeed,  is  said  of  her  ;  we 


OTHER   ANTEDILUVIAN   MOTHERS.  23 

do  not  even  know  her  name;  but  we  learn  enough 
to  enlist  for  her  our  sympathies,  and  induce  our 
esteem.  She  was  the  daughter  of  Adam  and 
Eve,  the  sister  of  Cain  and  Abel.  Many  years 
of  her  life  were  probably  passed  in  the  pleasant 
companionship  of  parents  and  brothers  and  sis- 
ters, and  in  comparative  happiness.  But  a  dark 
and  bitter  day  came  —  a  wretched  day.  Abel, 
the  gentle  and  beloved,  is  murdered ;  and  Cain, 
the  son,  the  husband,  the  brother,  the  most  im- 
portant member  of  the  little  circle,  is  guilty  of 
his  blood,  and  henceforth  a  fugitive  and  wanderer, 
cursed  of  God,  and  feared  by  all  who  once  loved 
him.  He  goes  forth  from  home  and  friends,  but 
he  goes  not  alone.  By  his  side  is  found  the  wife 
of  his  youth,  self-exiled  for  his  sake.  A  happy 
wife  she  is  not  —  that  were  impossible  ;  but  a 
faithful  wife  and  true,  since  she  leaves  all  that 
she  holds  dear  besides,  and  clings  to  him.  To 
the  east  of  Eden  they  take  their  way,  and  com- 
mence their  life  anew  in  the  land  of  Nod.  But 
even  upon  Cain,  the  outcast  and  the  murderer, 
there  are  shed  the  blessings  and  bounty  of  Heav- 
en. In  those  far-distant  days  it  could  be  said, 


24  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

as  now,  "He  maketh  his  sun  to  rise  on  the  evil 
and  on  the  good,  and  sendeth  his  rain  on  the 
just  and  on  the  unjust."  They  were  not  long 
alone  ;  an  infant  is  born,  to  cheer  and  hallow, 
with  its  helplessness  and  seeming  innocence, 
their  humble  dwelling ;  and  the  name  they  give 
it — Enoch,  the  consecrated  —  seems  to  indicate 
some  repentance  in  the  lather's  heart,  some  desire 
to  return  to  the  worship  and  love  of  God. 
Whether  this  be  true  or  not,  we  learn  from  his 
name,  and  from  the  fact  that  a  city  was  built  in 
his  honor,  that  he  was  a  beloved  child ;  we 
catch  some  glimpse  of  the  mother's  joy  and  the 
father's  pride  ;  we  learn  enough  to  link  us,  by 
the  bond  of  human  sympathy  and  kindred  feel- 
ing, to  that  second  of  earth's  mothers.  We  pity 
her  sorrows  ;  we  honor  her  for  her  faithful  devotion 
to  her  husband  ;  we  rejoice  with  her  in  the  birth 
of  her  child.  Two  lines  in  the  sacred  volume 
contain  all  that  is  recorded  of  her,  but  they  were 
not  written  in  vain. 

After  the  birth  of  Enoch,  the  sacred  history 
proceeds  rapidly.  The  descendants  of  Cain  be- 
come numerous,  and  build  cities,  or  hamlets,  as 


OTHER   ANTEDILUVIAN   MOTHERS.  25 

they  might  more  properly  be  called ;  they  invent 
useful  arts ;  they  cultivate  the  soil,  and  the 
blessings  and  evils  incident  to  the  communities 
of  earth  are  found  among  them.  After  several 
generations,  Adah  and  Zillah,  wives  of  Lamech, 
are  mentioned,  and  we  are  led  to  contemplate 
them  as  representatives  of  a  class  of  which  we, 
in  these  better  days,  know  little.  We  cannot 
think  of  them  pleasantly.  We  do  not  understand 
how  they  could  share  that  most  sacred  of  all  treas- 
ures to  a  woman,  her  place  in  her  husband's 
heart.  We  think  they  could  not  have  been  hap- 
py ;  we  are  sure  they  must  have  had  fearful 
temptations.  In  their  family  circle  imagination 
almost  fears  to  linger ;  we  look  for  scenes  of 
discord,  and  we  are  sure  that  polygamy,  though 
permitted,  was  never  a  part  of  the  divine  plan. 
And  yet  Adah  and  Zillah  were  mothers,  and  they 
had  sons  who  were  distinguished  in  their  gene- 
ration, and  are  remembered  still  as  the  inventors 
of  useful  and  delightful  arts ;  and  we  can  im- 
agine the  deep  interest  with  which  the  efforts  of 
industry  and  ingenuity  were  watched  from  day 
to  day,  and  the  approbation  and  joy  which 
3 


26  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

crowned  their  success.  There  music  first  sent 
forth  her  harmonies ;  there  the  first  tent  was 
spread  ;  there  first  instruments  of  brass  and  iron 
were  used  ;  there,  according  to  the  ancient  Rab- 
bins, the  wheel  first  hummed  its  monotonous  tune 
under  woman's  busy  hands  ;  and,  as  if  to  crown 
these  family  honors,  the  first  recorded  poetry 
falls  from  the  lips  of  Lamech  himself.  They 
were  no  ordinary  family.  Would  that  the  hallow- 
ing influence  of  the  worship  of  God  had^  com- 
pleted the  picture ! 

Time  rolled  on,  and  with  it  brought  such 
developments  of  human  character  and  tendencies 
as  caused  even  the  Creator  himself,  in  the  strong 
language  of  inspiration,  to  repent  that  he  had 
made  man.  For  years  the  community  which  were 
gathered  about  Adam  and  Seth  kept  themselves 
distinct  from  Cain's  posterity,  and  retained  in  its 
purity  the  worship  of  the  true  God.  But  at 
length  they  commingled,  and  gradually  almost 
every  trace  even  of  the  knowledge  of  Jehovah 
vanished  from  the  earth.  Universal  atheism 
or  idolatry  prevailed  ;  universal  sensuality  de- 
based the  race.  "  All  flesh  corrupted  his  way." 


OTHER   ANTEDILUVIAN   MOTHERS.  27 

In  the  full  belief  that  existence  terminated  at 
death,  the  sacredness  of  human  life  was  disre- 
garded, and  murder  stalked  forth  unmasked  and 
fearless.  "  The  earth  was  filled  with  violence." 
A  few  exceptions  there  were.  A  few  patri- 
archal saints  lived  many  years  to  mourn  over  and 
rebuke  the  wickedness  of  their  descendants,  and 
to  testify  to  them  of  the  existence  and  goodness 
of  the  Creator.  To  these,  from  time  to  time,  he 
revealed  himself,  and  gave  them  instruction  and 
encouragement.  But,  one  after  another,  these 
monitors,  hoary,  not  with  years,  but  with  the 
weight  of  centuries,  sank  to  their  graves,  and 
with  their  departing  spirits  fled  the  last  hope  for 
the  wretched  race  of  man.  In  vain  had  Adam 
for  nearly  a  thousand  years  remained  as  a  witness 
for  the  truth  relating  to  the  mighty  wonders  of 
creating  wisdom.  In  vain  had  Enoch  walked 
with  God,  and  been  borne  up  before  their  eyes, 
untouched  by  death,  to  convince  them  of  a  high- 
er and  holier  existence.  In  vain  had  the  Al- 
mighty so  ordered  the  length  of  man's  life  that 
the  long  chain  of  evidence  from  Adam  to  Noah 
had  but  one  connecting  link,  Methuselah  having 


28  THE    MOTHERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

many  years  conversed  with  both.  In  vain  did 
Noah  go  daily  forth  one  hundred  and  twenty 
years  to  his  work  upon  the  ark,  manifesting  his 
faith  in  God's  commands,  and  warning  them 
against  the  coming  evil  day.  They  were  com- 
pletely hardened.  "  They  ate  and  drank,  they 
were  marrying  and  giving  in  marriage,  until  the 
day  that  Noah  entered  into  the  ark,  and  the  flood 
came  and  destroyed  them  all." 

The  morning  on  which  Noah  uncovered  the 
ark,  and  looked  abroad  upon  nature  rejoicing  in 
the  recovered  sunlight,  saw  no  vestige  of  the 
multitudes  who  had  once  inhabited  the  earth. 
One  experiment  had  been  tried.  The  race  is 
now  to  commence  again.  Noah  was  an  obedient 
servant  of  God,  and  had  instructed  his  children 
to  follow  his  steps.  The  first  act  of  the  liberated 
family  was  to  gather  about  the  altar  of  sacrifice. 
Will  the  spirit  of  piety  keep  pace  with  the  mul- 
tiplying thousands  of  men  ?  Alas  !  alas  !  how 
quickly  is  it  proved  that  there  is  no  inherent  ex- 
cellence in  human  nature  !  How  surely  is  it  of 
the  "earth,  earthy,"  and  all  its  tendencies  down- 
ward !  How  true  is  it,  also,  that,  thus  degraded 


OTHER   ANTEDILUVIAN    MOTHERS.  29 

and  debased,  it  has  no  power  of  self- elevation  or 
purification  !  A  few  short  years  sufficed  to  show 
this  in  the  case  of  Noah's  descendants.  They 
scattered  abroad  ;  they  built  mighty  cities  ;  they 
cultivated  the  arts,  and  increased  in  knowledge 
wonderfully  ;  but  in  moral  excellence  they  sunk 
with  rapid  fall  to  the  lowest  point.  Probably  we 
have  no  conception  of  the  extent  and  utter  folly 
of  the  idolatry  which  prevailed  immediately  be- 
fore the  birth  of  Abraham.  Lords  many  and 
gods  innumerable  had  dominion  over  the  tribes  of 
men,  —  the  hosts  of  heaven,  the  beasts  of 
forest  and  field,  the  fowls  of  the  air,  reptiles, 
inanimate  things,  and  graven  images,  to  all  of 
whom  were  ascribed  a  character  wholly  polluted 
and  immeasurably  vile.  The  existence  of  the 
true  and  living  God  was  wholly  unknown,  save 
to  a  few  scattered  individuals.  The  idea  of  a 
pure  and  holy  being  was  not  only  lost,  but  all 
power  of  appreciating  such  a  character  had  also 
been  destroyed,  by  the  habitual  indwelling  of  cor- 
rupting thoughts,  and  the  constant  expression  and 
manifestation  of  sensual  emotions.  Already  was 
the  earth  prepared  for  another  flood.  But  God 
3* 


30  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

had  determined  not  thus  again  to  destroy  the 
work  of  his  hands.  Another  plan  will  be  devised ; 
these  sunken  creatures  he  will  elevate  ;  this 
ruined  race  he  will  redeem. 

Our  future  study  will  unfold  this  plan  of 
mighty  grace,  as  we  see  what  part  in  its  execu- 
tion was  allotted  to  the  mothers  whose  names  are 
mentioned  in  the  progress  of  its  accomplishment. 


SARAH  AND   IIAGAR. 

IN  pursuance  of  the  plan  which  he  had  devised 
for  the  redemption  of  the.  race  of  man,  God 
appeared  to  Abraham,  the  son  of  Terah,  in  a 
city  called  Ur,  in  Chaldea,  and  directed  him  to 
leave  his  country,  and  dwell  in  the  land  of 
Canaan.  Among  the  nations,  perhaps  the  Chal- 
deans had  departed  less  from  the  simplicity  of  a 
true  faith  and  worship  than  many  others  ;  but 
they  were  still  idolaters,  and  Ur,  as  appears  from 
recent  discoveries,  was  their  sacred  city.  It  is 
not  necessary  that  we  should  dwell  upon  the 
familiar  details  of  Abraham's  separation  from  his 
country  and  kindred.  Suffice  it,  that  the  object 
of  his  being  thus  separated  by  God  was,  that 
through  his  faith  and  obedience,  through  his  in- 
structions to  his  family,  and  through  the  seed  after- 
ward promised,  the  knowledge  and  worship  of  the 
only  true  God  should  be  gradually  disseminated. 

Abraham  obeyed  the  command  of  Jehovah,  and 
was  accompanied  in  his  wanderings  by  the  wife 


32  'TOE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

of  his  youth  ;  henceforth  the  partner  of  his  exile, 
and  a  helpmeet  in  his  cares.  They  had  spent 
hardly  a  year  in  Canaan,  when  a  famine  compelled 
them  to  repair  to  Egypt,  where  they  remained 
three  months.  Sarah  was  a  very  beautiful  woman, 
and  Abraham  knew  that  she  would  be  peculiarly 
attractive  to  the  Egyptians,  because  so  much 
more  fair  than  their  swarthy  countrywomen  ;  and 
the  account  of  his  deception  in  calling  her  his 
sister,  with  the  consequent  trouble,  stands  on  the 
sacred  page,  a  beacon  against  the  folly  of  distrust- 
ing God,  and  resorting  to  prevarication.  The 
beauty  of  the  fair  Chaldean  was  soon  in  every 
mouth,  and  Sarah  was  taken  from  her  supposed 
brother  to  the  king's  household,  to  go  through  the 
preliminary  ceremonies  and  purifications  which 
were  requisite  to  her  becoming  his  wife,  and  which 
usually  occupied  about  a  month.  What  Abraham 
suffered  during  this  interval,  and  what  were  her 
own  trials,  we  can  only  imagine.  Nothing  is  said 
of  the  prayers  which  the  patriarch  must  have 
offered  to  God  ;  nothing  re-corded  of  the  anguish 
and  tears  of  the  wife,  who  had  taken,  as  she 
believed,  a  final  leave  of  her  husband,  and  was 


SARAH   AND    ITAOAR.  33 

destined  to  the  honor  of  being  a  favorite  of 
Egypt's  monarch.  The  trial  was  severe.  God, 
however,  interposed  to  save  them  from  their  fears. 
His  judgments  caused  Pharaoh  to  inquire  into  the 
truth,  and  to  restore  Sarah  before  the  month  of 
preparation  was  ended.  He  dismissed  them  from 
his  dominions  without  injury,  but  not  without 
severe  rebuke,  and  they  returned  to  Canaan. 

Ten  years  passed  away,  during  which  time 
Sarah's  name  is  not  mentioned.  They  had  no 
children,  but  it  must  not  be  inferred  that,  because 
she  had  not  a  mother's  cares,  she  was  therefore 
unoccupied.  It  is  recorded  that  at  one  time 
Abraham  went  out  to  fight  against  the  Assyrian 
king  with  more  than  three  hundred  trained  ser- 
vants. These  were  all  born  in  his  house,  the 
sacred  writer  informs  us,  and  were  capable  of 
bearing  arms.  If  we  add  to  these  those  who  must 
have  remained  in  charge  of  the  flocks  and  herds, 
and  the  women  and  children,  we  may,  perhaps, 
form  some  idea  of  the  family  over  which  Sarah 
presided  as  mistress.  The  phrase  "  trained  ser- 
vants" signifies  catechised,  or  instructed.  We 
know  that  wherever  Abraham  pitched  his  tent,  as 


34  THE   MOTHERS   OF    THE   BIBLE. 

he  removed  from  place  to  place,  he  erected  an 
altar,  and  in  the  midst  of  his  assembled  family 
offered  sacrifices  to  God.  "I  know  him,"  said 
the  Lord,  "that  he  will  command  his  children 
and  his  household  after  him,  and  they  shall  keep 
the  way  of  the  Lord."  That  Sarah  was  a  faith- 
ful wife,  a  prudent  and  discreet  housekeeper,  and 
willing  to  aid  her  husband  in  this  important  work 
of  training  his  household  to  serve  God,  we  have 
no  reason  to  doubt.  That  she  "  labored,  working 
with  her  own  hands,"  or  strictly  superintended 
the  labor  of  her  servants,  we  infer  from  the  fact 
that  when  strangers  were  to  be  entertained  Abra- 
ham calls  upon  her  to  prepare  the  needed  food. 
We  think  of  her  as  the  energetic,  active  head  of 
a  large  and  well-ordered  family,  and  God  doubt- 
less aided  and  qualified  her  for  the  station  she 
occupied. 

Soon  after  their  return  from  Egypt,  God  had 
appeared  again  to  Abraham,  and  renewed  his 
covenant  with  him,  assuring  him  that  the  land  of 
Canaan  should  be  given  to  his  posterity,  who 
should  be  as  the  sands  of  the  sea-shore,  innumer- 
able. But  the  years  rolled  by,  and  there  was  no 


SARAH   AND   HAGAR.  35 

sign  of  the  fulfilment  of  this  promise.  Sarah, 
who  seems  not  to  have  possessed  the  unshaken 
faith  which  characterized  her  husband,  despairing 
of  herself  becoming  a  mother,  resorted  at  length 
to  an  expedient  which  is  revolting  to  us,  and 
which  proved  disastrous  to  the  peace  of  all  con- 
cerned in  it.  The  laws  and  customs  of  the  land 
countenanced  polygamy,  and  Abraham,  in  com- 
pliance with  Sarah's  wishes,  took  Hagar,  her 
bond-woman,  for  a  secondary  wife,  in  hope  of 
gaining  the  long-desired  blessing.  Hagar  was 
an  Egyptian,  and  had  probably  become  one  of 
their  family  during  their  sojourn  in  her  native 
land.  She  seems  to  have  been  a  favorite  servant, 
and  was  certainly  honored  in  being  selected  as 
the  object  of  her  master's  regards.  The  desired 
end  was  obtained.  Hagar  soon  had  the  prospect 
of  becoming  a  mother.  But  the  happiness  which 
Sarah  anticipated  did  not  follow.  As  might  have 
been  foreseen,  her  own  jealous  feelings  were 
roused,  and  Hagar  soon  manifested  the  vanity 
and  insolence  which  her  situation,  now  so  supe- 
rior to  that  of  her  mistress,  naturally  called  forth. 
She  manifested  her  contempt  in  a  manner  so 


36  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

marked  that  Sarah's  indignation  cuuld  not  be 
controlled  ;  but,  instead  of  blaming  only  herself, 
she  reproached  her  husband.  She  insinuated  that 
Hagar  stood  too  high  in  his  estimation,  and  called 
upon  God  to  witness  that  she  was  wronged.  The 
most  serious  unhappiness  now  reigned  in  this 
hitherto  quiet  family.  Abraham  might  have  re- 
monstrated with  Sarah,  or  reproached  her  in  turn  ; 
he  might  have  claimed  the  right  to  protect  Hagar 
as  his  wife  ;  but  the  dignity  and  excellence  of 
his  character  appear  in  his  answer  :  "  Thy  maid 
is  in  thine  hand  ;  do  to  her  as  it  pleaseth  thee." 
"Sarah  afflicted  her."  Whether  it  is  intended 
that  she  inflicted  personal  chastisement  upon  her, 
as  some  commentators  affirm,  or  whether  the 
affliction  consisted  of  bitter  words,  which  to  a 
sensitive  spirit  are  worse  than  blows,  we  cannot 
decide.  Whatever  was  done  was  sufficient  to 
drive  Hagar,  in  desperation,  from  her  presence. 
She  fled  hastily  to  go  to  Egypt,  her  native  land, 
but  sunk  exhausted,  friendless,  and  ready  to 
perish,  by  a  fountain  in  the  wilderness  of  Shur. 
Most  beautiful  is  the  description  which  follows 
the  account  of  her  flight,  and  wonderfully  does  it 


SARAH    AND    HAGAK.  37 

show  the  tender  mercy  of  God  toward  those  who 
are  in  trouble.  An  angel  of  the  Lord  seeks  her 
in-  her  woe.  He,  without  whose  notice  the  spar- 
row cannot  fall,  is  not  unmindful  of  helpless,  suf- 
fering woman.  "  And  he  said,  Hagar,  Sarai's 
maid,  whence  earnest  thou  ?  and  whither  wilt 
thou  go?"  He  does  not  call  her  Abraham's 
ivife.  It  is  not  his  part  to  increase  her  pride, 
and  aggravate  her  discontent.  He  reminds  her 
of  her  true  condition,  and  calls  up  entirely  differ- 
ent thoughts  from  those  which  she  has  been 
indulging.  Those  simple  questions  startle  her 
from  the  tumultuous  emotions  of  rebellion  and 
presumption.  Whence  had  she  come  1  From  a 
happy,  loving  home,  where  she  had  been  the 
favorite  of  an  indulgent  and  gentle  mistress  ;  a 
home  which  would  speedily  be  yet  dearer  to  her 
as  the  birth-place  of  her  child,—  that  child  who 
was  to  be  the  supposed  heir  to  her  master  and  all 
his  sainted  privileges  ;  from  friends,  from  com- 
panions, all  whom  she  loved  ;  and  she  had  left 
them  !  and  whither  was  she  going  ?  How  might 
she  answer,  when  she  knew  not?  Plow  idle 
and  impotent  now  seemed  her  previous  feelings  ! 
4 


38  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE  BIBLE. 

Those  questions  had  flashed  light  on  her  darkened 
heart,  and  humbled  her  at  once  ;  and  simply  and 
truthfully  she  answered,  "  I  flee  from  the  pres- 
ence of  my  mistress  Sarai." 

The  angel,  who  was  no  other  than  the  glorious 
Messenger  of  the  Covenant,  directed  her  to  return 
and  submit  herself  to  her  mistress,  and  then,  to 
comfort  her,  and  enable  her  to  bear  her  lot, 
unfolded  the  future.  He  told  her  she  would  bear 
a  son,  and  bade  her  call  him  Ishmael.  This 
is  the  first  name  given  by  God  to  any  man  before 
his  birth.  It  signifies,  "  The  Lord  hath  heard, 
or  will  hear/'  and  would  always  remind  her  of 
his  interposition  in  her  behalf.  "  Because,"  said 
he,  "the  Lord  hath  heard  thy  affliction."  He 
does  not  say,  hath  heard  thy  prayer,  nor  does  it 
appear  that  she  offered  any.  Has  the  affliction  of 
his  creatures  such  a  voice  that  it  thus  reaches  the 
Almighty  ear  1  Do  the  woes  of  the  humblest, 
the  poor  bond-woman,  call  to  her  aid  the  Angel- 
Jehovah  unsought?  0,  what  a  view  into  the 
heart  of  infinite  love  do  these  few  words  afford ' 
He  then  utters  that  remarkable,  prophetic  descrip- 
tion of  the  descendants  of  Ishmael,  concerning 


SARAH   AND    HAGAR.  39 

which  Dr.  Adam  Clarke  says,  "  It  furnishes  an 
absolute  demonstrative  argument  of  the  divine 
origin  of  the  Pentateuch.  To  attempt  its  refuta- 
tion, in  the  sight  of  reason  and  common  sense, 
would  convict  of  most  ridiculous  presumption  and 
excessive  folly."  "  He  shall  be  a  wild  man  ;  his 
hand  will  be  against  every  man,  and  every  man's 
hand  shall  be  against  him  ;  and  he  shall  dwell  in 
the  presence  of  all  his  brethren."  "  We  have  only 
to  turn  to  the  page  of  history  to  see  how  appo- 
site this  character  has  been  in  all  ages  to  the  Arab 
race,  the  descendants  of  Ishmael.  They  have 
occupied  the  same  country,  and  followed  the  same 
mode  of  life,  from  the  days  of  their  great  ances- 
tor down  to  the  present  time  ;  and  range  the  wide 
extent  of  burning  sands  which  separate  them  from 
all  surrounding  nations,  as  rude,  as  savage,  and  as 
untractable,  as  the  wild  ass  himself."  "  Behold, 
as  wild  asses  in  the  desert,  go  they  forth  to  their 
work  betimes  for  a  prey  :  the  wilderness  yieldeth 
food  for  them  and  for  their  children."  We  have 
not  time  to  dwell  upon  all  the  beauties  of  this 
wonderful  prophecy,  but  beg  our  readers  not  to  be 
satisfied  by  merely  reading  it  in  their  Bibles.  If 


40  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

they  will  study  it  thoroughly  in  the  light  which 
its  fulfilment  during  four  thousand  years  affords, 
they  will  be  amply  repaid  for  the  labor. 

Whether  Hagar  had  imbibed  the  faith  of  Abra- 
ham and  Sarah  in  the  true  God,  or  whether  her 
heart  still  clung  to  the  idols  of  her  early  home, 
we  do  not  know.  When  she  cast  herself,  trem- 
bling and  fainting,  upon  the  ground  by  the  well- 
side  in  the  wilderness,  she  probably  thought  not 
of  turning  to  either  for  aid.  Weary  and  sick  in 
body,  and  tempest-tost  on  a  sea  of  conflicting 
passions,  she  thought  only  of  her  wretchedness, 
and  scarcely  hoped  for  deliverance.  Now  how 
changed !  Refreshed,  comforted,  blessed,  she 
rises  with  humility  and  joy  in  her  heart,  and 
expressions  of  devout  gratitude  on  her  lips,  and 
prepares  to  retrace  her  steps.  She  could  no 
longer  doubt  the  existence  and  infinite  kindness 
of  Abraham's  God.  When  she  had  thought  her- 
self alone,  he  was  near,  a  witness  to  all  her  grief. 
When  her  master,  whom  she  so  much  loved,  the 
father  of  her  child,  had  with  seeming  indifference 
given  her  up  to  her  mistress,  and  that  mistress 
had  dealt  hardly  with  her,  and  she  felt  she  had 


SARAH    AND    HAGAR.  41 

not  a  friend  on  earth,  he  had  befriended  her,  had 
spoken  words  of  kindness,  and  promised  her  great 
and  wonderful  blessings.  She  had  seen  him,  she 
had  heard  his  voice.  Awe-struck,  and  wondering 
that  she  still  lived  after  having  seen  Jehovah,  she 
turned  from  the  spot,  which  from  that  day  was 
called  "  The  well  of  the  angel  of  life,  who 
appeared  there." 

Hagar  returned  to  her  home,  as  she  had  been 
directed,  but  whether  she  went  to  peace 'or  fur- 
ther affliction  is  not  disclosed.  "We  infer,  how- 
ever, that  her  own  altered  deportment,  and  the 
birth  of  her  child,  which  occurred  soon  after,  put 
an  end  for  the  time  to  the  bitter  troubles  caused 
by  Sarah's  unhappy  expedient.  Abraham  was 
extremely  fond  of  his  son,  and  Sarah  regarded 
him  as  her  own  ;  and  doubtless  the  mother's  heart 
rejoiced  in  seeing  the  boy  an  object  of  such  care. 
He  was  exalted  far  above  herself  in  station  ;  but 
she  was  his  mother,  and  permitted  to  perform 
toward  him  a  mother's  part,  and  to  feel  all  a 
mother's  happiness  in  his  unfolding  powers. 

Nearly  thirteen  years  passed  quietly  on, 
bringing  with  them  no  events  of  sufficient  import- 
4* 


42  THE    MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

ance  to  be  noticed  by  the  inspired  penman.  No 
further  revelation  from  God  disturbed  the  delu- 
sion under  which  Abram  and  Sarah  labored, 
that  Ishmael  was  the  promised  seed,  the  heir  of 
the  covenant ;  and  he  was  doubtless  trained  up  in 
his  father's  house  in  a  manner  suitable  to  his  fu- 
ture expectations.  The  time,  however,  at  length 
came  when  Jehovah  would  more  fully  unfold  his 
plans.  Abram  had  nearly  reached  the  age  of 
a  hundred  years,  and  Sarah  was  almost  ninety, 
when  he  once  more  appeared,  and  said,  "I  am 
God  all-sufficient ;  walk  before  me,  and  be  thou 
perfect."  This  language  seems  to  convey  a 
reproof  for  their  want  of  faith  in  his  promises,  and 
resorting  to  expedients  of  their  own  devising, 
and  bids  them  henceforth  act  with  more  sim- 
plicity, and  leave  God  to  bring  about  his  designs 
in  his  own  way.  He  then  entered  into  a  solemn 
covenant  with  Abram,  in  which  he  included 
all  his  posterity  to  the  latest  generation.  He 
also  changed  their  names.  Abram,  which  sig- 
nifies "  an  eminent  father,"  he  called  Abraham, 
"  an  eminent  father  of  a  multitude  ;  "  and  Sarai, 
"  iny  princess,"  or,  as  we  more  familiarly  say, 


SARAH   AND    IIAGAR.  43 

queen  of  her  own  household,  he  called  Sarah, 
"  princess  of  a  multitude ;  "  and  then  for  the  first 
time  announced  that  the  promised  seed  should 
descend  from  her  :  "I  will  give  thee  a  son  also 
of  her  ;  "  "  she  shall  be  a  mother  of  nations." 

Not  long  after  this,  the  Lord  again  reiterates 
his  promise,  in  an  interview  which  is  beautifully 
described  in  the  sacred  volume. 

In  the  delightful  oak-grove  of  Mamre,  in  the 
midst  of  a  sultry  summer  day,  the  patriarch  sat 
at  the  door  of  his  tent,  enjoying  the  slight  breeze, 
and  resting  from  toil,  which  the  intense  heat  of 
the  Eastern  climate  forbids  during  certain  hours. 
All  around,  at  short  distances,  were  the  tents  of  his 
numerous  dependants,  their  occupants  reposing 
like  himself,  or  scattered  abroad  with  the  flocks 
and  herds.  All  was  quiet  and  peaceful,  until  the 
sound  of  coming  footsteps  disturbed  his  medita- 
tions, and  warned  him  of  the  approach  of 
strangers.  Abraham,  obeying  the  quick  impulse 
of  hospitality,  hastened  to  greet  them,  and  invite 
them  to  repose  under  the  grateful  shade,  and 
offer  them  the  refreshments  they  needed.  He 
provided  water  for  their  feet,  and,  entering  the 


44  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

tent,  directed  Sarah  to  prepare  food  and  set  be- 
fore them  ;  which  being  done,  he  served  them 
himself,  according  to  the  custom  of  his  time. 
While  they  sat  eating,  the  chief  of  them  sud- 
denly asked  him,  "  Where  is  Sarah,  thy  wife  ?  " 
It  was  an  extraordinary  question.  The  women 
of  the  East  live  in  the  closest  seclusion,  having 
no  intercourse  with  strangers,  nor  with  any  of  the 
opposite  sex,  save  their  husbands,  and  with  them 
they  are  never  permitted  to  sit  at  the  same  table. 
A  traveller  remarks  that  one  who  should  ask 
another^  of  the  health  of  his  wife  and  family 
would  be  considered  as  offering  him  a  downright 
insult.  The  question  must,  therefore,  have 
greatly  surprised  Abraham.  He  answered,  briefly, 
that  Sarah  was  in  the  tent.  "  I  will  certainly 
return  unto  thee,"  continued  his  mysterious,' 
though  now  no  longer  unknown  visitor,  "  and,  lo, 
Sarah  thy  wife  shall  have  a  son."  Their  table 
was  spread  at  no  great  distance  from  the  tent- 
door,  and  Sarah,  in  her  private  apartment,  was  an 
astonished  listener  to  this  strange  conversation. 
We  have  before  said  that  she  did  not  partake  of 
her  husband's  implicit  faith.  When  she  heard  the 


SARAH    AND    HAGAB.  45 

announcement  that  she  should  bear  a  son,  it  was 
to  her  only  ridiculous.  The  infinite  power  of 
him  who  promised  she  wholly  overlooked,  and 
remembered  only  that  she  had  long  passed  the 
age  when  maternity  wras  possible,  in  the  ordinary 
course  of  events.  She  laughed  incredulously 
at  what  she  heard.  Omniscience  pierces  any 
barrier.  "Wherefore  did  Sarah  laugh  ? "  said  he. 
"  Is  anything  too  hard  for  the  Lord  ?  "  Terrified 
at  being  detected,  Sarah  now  came  forth  from  the 
tent,  and,  in  her  fear  and  confusion,  "  denied,  say- 
ing, I  laughed  not."  One  penetrating  look,  and 
the  quiet,  firm  reply,  "  Nay,  but  thou  didst 
laugh,"  were  sufficient  to  send  her  back  to  her  re- 
tirement in  penitence,  a  wiser  and  a  better  woman. 
From  this  time  her  character  seems  to  have  un- 
dergone a  change.  Her  distrust  of  God  was 
gone,  and  Paul,  in  days  long  after,  numbers  her 
among  those  who  were  illustrious  for  their  faith, 
attributing  the  birth  of  Isaac  to  her  implicit  reli- 
ance on  the  word  of  the  Almighty  :  "  She  judged 
him  faithful  who  had  promised,  and  received 
strength." 

Not  long  after  this,  Abraham  removed  from 


46  TUB   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

Mamre,  -where  he  had  long  resided,  and  went  to 
dwell  in  Gerah,  the  capital  of  the  Philistines. 
Here  was  re  enacted  the  same  folly  which  had 
formerly  cost  them  so  much  in  Egypt,  and  which 
it  is  most  marvellous  to  us  should  have  ever  been 
forgotten.  Sarah  was  again  taken  by  a  heathen 
king,  and  only  restored  to  her  husband  by  the 
intervention  of  Jehovah.  She  was  at  this  time 
ninety  years  of  age,  yet  so  remarkable  was  her 
beauty  that  she  was  as  much  an  object  of  attrac- 
tion as  in  her  youthful  days,  and  Abimelech, 
after  reproving  Abraham  for  his  deception,  hinted 
to  her,  that  it  would  be  becoming  in  her  to  wear, 
when  among  strangers,  a  closely-covering  veil, 
such  as  was  universally  customary  among  females 
resident  in  towns,  in  order  to  avoid  the  dangers 
to  which  her  beauty  exposed  her.  So  far  as  we 
can  gather  from  the  sacred  volume,  Sarah  was 
at  this  very  time  pregnant  by  the  miraculous 
power  of  Jehovah,  which  renders  the  whole  scene 
still  more  remarkable. 

Whether  they  remained  long  in  Gerah,  we  are 
not  informed,  nor  where  Isaac  was  born.  But  the 
joyful  day  came  at  length.  "  After  a  childless 


SARAH    AND    IIAGAR.  47 

union  of  more  than  sixty  years,"  Abraham  and 
Sarah  welcomed  with  delight  the  heir  of  the  prom- 
ises, the  covenanted  gift  of  Jehovah.  They 
called  him  Isaac.  "  There  shall  be  laughter;  " 
"  All  that  hear  will  laugh  with  me,"  said  Sarah; 
and,  indeed,  Tew  events,  if  any,  recorded  on  the 
sacred  page,  were  welcomed  with  so  much  rejoic- 
ing. Nearly  three  years,  according  to  the  custom 
of  her  nation,  Sarah  nourished  her  infant  at  her 
own  breast ;  and  only  a  mother  can  imagine  her 
heartfelt  happiness  and  gratitude  during  that  de- 
lightful time.  "And  the  child  grew  and  was 
weaned,  and  Abraham  made  a  great  feast  the  same 
day  that  Isaac  was  weaned."  It  was  a  bright, 
joyous  day  ;  friends  were  congregated,  tables  of 
•abundance  were  spread,  congratulations  were 
poured  forth  ;  while  the  unconscious  object  of  all, 
the  pride  and  joy  of  fond  parents,  the  hope  of 
generations  to  come,  pursued  his  childish  sports, 
and  expressed  his  childish  wonder  at  the  scene. 
But,  like  many  sunny  mornings  of  earth,  it  was 
to  be  overhung  with  clouds,  its  joy  to  be  damp- 
ened by  deep  sorrow. 

Two   hearts   were   there    which    no   gladness 


48  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

visited,  and  in  which  no  good  feelings  -were 
cherished.  Ishmael  and  his  mother  were  envious 
and  discontented  witnesses  of  all  that  occurred. 
The  happiness  of  others  was  their  sorrow,  the 
fulfilment  of  hope  to  Abraham  and  Sarah  was 
their  bitter  disappointment ;  and  they  manifested 
their  dissatisfaction,  Hagar,  probably,  by  pouring 
out  her  thoughts  to  her  son,  and  he  by  ridiculing 
and  speaking  contemptuously  of  Isaac.  Sarah 
saw  and  heard,  and  all  that  was  to  come  in  the 
future  —  the  discord  and  wrangling,  the  endless 
disputes  and  heart-burnings,  the  evil  and  per- 
haps malicious  influence  over  her  precious  child — 
flashed  instantly  upon  her  mind,  and,  urged  by  an 
impulse  too  strong  to  be  resisted,  she  sought  her 
husband,  and  demanded  that  Hagar  should  be 
divorced,  and  Ishmael  disinherited.  It  was  a 
grievous  request  to  Abraham.  Ishmael  was  his 
own  son,  his  first-born  and  first-beloved;  and 
toward  Hagar  he  felt  the  tenderness  of  a  father 
for  the  mother  of  his  child.  He  appeal's  to  have 
appealed  to  God,  who  bade  him  do  as  Sarah  had 
said,  for  Isaac  was  to  be  his  only  heir;  but,  at  the 
same  time,  soothed  his  grief,  and  allayed  his  anx- 


SARAH   AND    HAGAR.  49 

ieties,  by  promising  that  Ishmael,  for  his  sake, 
should  be  abundantly  prospered  and  blessed. 

Early  on  the  morning  which  followed  the 
weaning  feast,  Abraham  arose  to  execute  his  sor- 
rowful task.  Calling  Hagar,  he  gave  her  the 
necessary  directions  for  her  future  course,  placed 
on  her  shoulder  a  leathern  bottle  of  water,  and 
bread  sufficient  for  their  present  wants,  and  then, 
putting  Ishmael' s  hand  in  hers,  he  bade  them  a 
final  farewell,  and  sent  them  on  their  way.  Won- 
derful, indeed,  was  the  faith  and  obedience  of 
Abraham ! 

The  wanderers  bent  their  steps  toward  the  un- 
inhabited region  beyond  Beersheba,  Hagar  prob- 
ably intending,  as  before,  to  go  to  Egypt.  She 
was  unhappy  then,  but  more  miserable  now,  and 
yet  deeper  trouble  awaited  her.  The  water  was 
soon  gone,  and  Ishmael,  overcome  with  fatigue 
and  thirst,  was  unable  to  proceed  ;  and  when  she 
saw  him  lying  helpless,  and  apparently  about  to 
die,  in  her  anguish  she  left  him,  that  she  might 
not  witness  the  closing  of  eyes  so  dear,  forever. 
Did  she  now  call  to  mind  her  former  deliverance  ? 
Did  the  name  of  her  son  recall  the  scene  at  the 


50  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

"  well  of  the  angel  of  life,"  and  induce  her 
again  to  seek  his  aid  ?  We  do  not  know.  But 
whether  she  called  or  not,  that  blessed  angel  was 
near  her  now,  as  before.  Once  more  his  heavenly 
voice  addressed  her  :  "  What  aileth  thee,  Hagar? 
Fear  not ;  for  God  hath  heard  the  voice  of  the 
lad  where  he  is." 

***** 

She  was  relieved  and  her  child  restored. 
Blessed  and  comforted  by  the  promises  of  God, 
she  went  on  her  way.  Ishmael  was  at  this  time 
sixteen  years  of  age  ;  and  though,  as  we  read 
the  account,  we  feel  that  it  was  cruel  to  send 
him  forth  from  the  luxuries  and  privileges  of  his 
father's  house,  to  provide  for  himself,  it  was  not 
so  in  fact.  The  younger  sons  of  a  family  were 
generally  thus  sent  to  seek  their  fortunes.  He 
chose  for  his  home  a  spot  uninhabited  and  wild, 
the  resort  of  many  animals  proper  for  food,  and 
by  the  use  of  his  bow  he  was  able  amply  to  sup- 
ply his  own  and  his  mother's  wants,  and  was 
soon,  as  had  been  promised,  a  prosperous  man. 

Hagar,  we  are  told,  took  him  a  wife  from  her 
native  land,  and  from  him  descended  a  race  not 


SARAH   AND    IIAGAR.  51 

less  remarkable  than  the  Israelites  themselves. 
The  faithfulness  of  Abraham  has  had  its  reward 
not  alone  in  the  blessings  bestowed  on  the  chosen 
seed. 

After  the  departure  of  Hagar  and  Ishmael  little 
is  recorded  concerning  the  family  of  Abraham. 
They  dwelt  at  Beersheba,  and,  so  far  as  we  know, 
their  life  passed  quietly.  Of  Sarah's  character 
as  a  mother  we  earnestly  wish  to  know  more  than 
we  are  told.  Not  a  word  is  said  of  her  instruc- 
tions to  her  cherished  son,  and  we  can  only  gather 
the  proof  of  her  faithfulness  from  the  excellent 
character  of  Isaac.  We  know  that  daily  lessons 
of  obedience  to  his  parents  were  instilled  into  his 
young  mind,  for  he  hesitated  not  to  follow  his 
father,  unquestioned,  to  the  Mount  of  Moriah, 
and  to  do  his  bidding  to  the  utmost.  And  in  later 
years,  he  with  the  same  spirit  acceded  to  his 
father's  wishes  in  respect  to  the  most  important 
interests  of  his  life,  receiving  even  his  wife  from 
his  hands,  apparently  without  the  slightest  dispo- 
sition to  select  for  himself  the  partner  of  his  life, 
after  his  father  had  desired  to  do  it  for  him.  We 
know  that  the  most  unwavering  confidence  in  God 


52  THE    MOTHERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

had  been  wrought  into  his  whole  life,  for  he  sub- 
mitted without  shrinking  to  be  bound  and  laid 
upon  the  altar  of  sacrifice  at  the  divine  command, 
manifesting  a  faith  scarcely  inferior  to  that  of 
Abraham  himself.  We  know  that  a  mother's 
untiring,  devoted  love,  had  been  his  daily  bless- 
ing, and  had  linked  his  heart  to  hers  in  ties  which 
might  not  be  sundered  without  deepest  anguish, 
for  he  knew  no  comfort  after  her  death,  till  three 
years  had  fled,  and  Rebecca  was  given  to  cheer 
his  solitude.  We  are  certain  that  a  holy  exam- 
ple, the  sacred  influence  of  daily  prayer,  the 
habitual  prominence  given  to  sacred  and  divine 
realities,  and  frequent  instructions  concerning  his 
obligations  to  honor  his  father's  God,  trained  this 
child  of  the  covenant  to  fill  the  place  assigned 
him  in  the  mighty  plan  of  grace. 

Many  years  he  enjoyed  his  mother's  care  and 
counsels  ;  he  seems  to  have  been  her  constant 
companion,  and  from  that  companionship  he 
gained  a  gentleness  and  loveliness  of  character, 
very  remarkable  in  a  man. 

The  strongest  earthly  ties  are  frail  when  death 
appears.  Sarah's  death  and  the  circumstances 


SARAH    AND    HAGAR.  53 

of  her  burial  are  touchingly  described  in  the 
sacred  volume,  and  it  is  worthy  of  notice,  that 
she  is  the  only  woman  to  whom  such  honor  is 
given.  Abraham  was  a  stranger  and  sojourner  in 
the  land  of  Canaan,  and  had  hitherto  owned  not 
a  foot  of  the  land  promised  to  his  descendants, 
nor  had  he  needed  such  possession.  Cared  for 
by  God,  and  surrounded  by  those  he  loved,  every 
place  was  home.  But  now,  death  had  removed 
the  light  of  his  eyes,  the  fond  companion  of  his 
days.  Sixty-two  years  had  she  shared  his  every 
joy  and  sorrow,  and  cheered  his  pilgrim  lot.  But 
now  she  would  no  longer  gladden  his  tent,  nor 
accompany  him  in  his  wanderings.  She  had 
daily  bowed  with  him,  through  those  long  years, 
in  sincere  and  humble  worship  of  the  living 
God,  and  their  united  faith  had  drawn  from  him 
wonderful,  even  miraculous  blessings.  But  now 
her  familiar  form  would  appear  no  more  at  the 
sacred  altar,  nor  her  confidence  in  the  Almighty 
strengthen  his  own.  He  had  loved  her  in  their 
early  days,  when  she  was  the  pride  and  joy  of  his 
Chaldean  home,  but  she  was  far  dearer  to  him 
when  he  looked  upon  her,  after  nearly  a  century 
5* 


54  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

had  passed  over  her  head,  with  beauty  unim- 
paired, her  youth  renewed  by  the  kindness  of 
God,  folding  to  her  mother's  breast  the  long- 
desired  and  most  precious  son  of  promise.  "A 
babe  in  a  house  is  not  merely  a  well-spring  of 
pleasure,"  and  "  a  messenger  of  peace  and  love," 
but  infancy  and  childhood  ever  bring  with  them 
freshening  and  revivifying  influences.  Abraham 
had  felt  their  influences  himself,  and  seen  their 
effect  on  Sarah,  and  we  can  well  believe  that  their 
evening-time  had  been  brighter  than  the  morning. 

But  she  was  gone,  and  the  question  came, 
"  where  should  he  lay,  for  their  last  repose,  the 
remains  of  his  beloved  and  faithful  wife  ?  "  Xot 
in  the  burying-places  of  the  idolaters  !  He  could 
not  endure  the  thought.  He  purchased  the  cave 
of  Machpelah,  and,  with  weeping  and  mourning, 
buried  his  dead  out  of  his  sight. 

Around  that  grave  of  Sarah  how  many  sacred 
associations  linger.  There,  when  years  had 
passed,  Isaac  and  Ishmael  met,  for  the  first  time, 
perhaps,  since  the  weaning  feast,  to  lay  their 
honored  father  by  her  side.  "  There  they  buried 
Isaac  and  Rebecca  his  wife  ;  there  Jacob  buried 


SARAH   AND    HAGAR.  55 

Leah,"  and  thither  went  up  from  Egypt  the 
"  chariots  and  horsemen,  a  very  great  company," 
who,  with  Joseph,  bore  the  body  of  Jacob  also  to 
the  same  quiet  resting-place.  Upon  the  hills  of 
that  beautiful  region  the  mighty  Anakims  dwelt, 
and  from  thence,  more  than  four  hundred  years 
after,  when  the  descendants  of  Abraham  were 
returning  from  bondage,  the  spies  sent  by  Moses 
brought  back  the  evil  report  which  resulted  in  the 
many  wanderings  of  the  wilderness.  On  that  spot 
stood  one  of  the  most  ancient  cities  of  the  world 
—  the  possession  of  Caleb,  the  son  of  Jephunneh, 
where  the  tribes  received  their  inheritance,  and 
later,  a  city  of  refuge,  and  assigned  to  the  Levites. 
There  David  held  his  court  seven  years,  and  there 
Absalom  raised  the  standard  of  revolt.  And  when 
centuries  had  rolled  away,  when  the  long-ex- 
pected Messiah  was  at  hand,  to  that  sacred  "  city 
in  the  hill-country  of  Judah,  went,  in  haste,"  the 
most  highly  favored  among  women,  the  virgin 
mother  of  Jesus,  to  exchange  congratulations 
with  her  only  less  favored  cousin,  and  to  pour 
forth  her  song  of  exultation  and  triumph.  The 
spot  on  which  Abraham  and  Sarah  dwelt  so  long, 


56  THE   MOTHERS    OF* THE   BIBLE. 

and  where  their  bones  reposed,  where  the  Al- 
mighty had  reiterated  his  solemn  promises, — 
thousands  of  years  after,  witnessed  Mary's  joy, 
and  echoed  her  song  of  gratitude  to  him  whose 
word  abideth  forever,  for  the  fulfilment  of  those 
very  assurances.  "My  soul  doth  magnify  the 
Lord  ;  he  hath  holpen  his  servant  Israel  in  remem- 
brance of  his  mercy  ;  as  he  spake  to  our  fathers,  to 
Abraham  and  his  seed  forever." 

A  multitude  of  reflections  crowd  upon  us  as  we 
draw  to  a  close  our  account  of  Sarah  and  Hagar, 
to  which  we  can  do  no  justice.  Indeed,  we  feel 
that  we  have  given  a  meagre  transcript  of  our 
own  thoughts  while  studying  this  deeply  interest- 
ing history.  We  earnestly  request  those  who 
have  read  these  pages,  not  to  rest  for  a  moment 
satisfied,  but  to  take  the  sacred  book,  and,  asking 
light  from  above,  give  themselves  to  the  work  of 
gaining  all  the  instruction  it  affords  upon  this 
theme.  We  assure  them  that  encouragement, 
strength,  and  blessing  will  be  their  reward. 
Especially,  they  shall  gain  delightful  views  of 
the  character  of  Jehovah,  and  be  able  to  sing 
as  never  before,  "  Exalt  the  Lord  our  God." 


SARAH   AND    IIAGAR.  57 

* 'Praise  ye  the  Lord,  for  his  mercy  endureth  for- 
ever." 

Sarah,  notwithstanding  her  dignified  station, 
her  wonderful  beauty  and  noble  character,  was 
still  an  imperfect  woman ;  yet  how  kindly  was 
she  dealt  with ;  what  honor  has  God  put  upon 
her.  She  consented  to  prevarication  and  deceit 
with  her  husband,  but  the  evil  consequences 
which  they  deserved  were  once  and  again  pre- 
vented by  divine  interposition.  She  laughed 
incredulously  at  his  gracious  words  of  promise, 
and  then  denied  her  fault.  Yet,  in  consideration 
of  her  "  fear  and  amazement,"  she  was  not 
severely  reproved,  the  blessing  was  not  withheld, 
nor  was  her  fault  noticed  to  the  exclusion  of  what 
was  otherwise  good  in  her  conduct,  for,  by  the 
mouth  of  Peter,  God  afterward  commends  her 
reverence  for  her  husband,  manifested  at  that 
very  time.  She  was  faithless,  and  jealous,  and 
angry  in  her  dealings  with  Hagar,  yet  the  Al- 
mighty did  not  take  his  favor  from  her,  while  he 
suffered  her  to  reap  the  bitter  fruit  of  her  folly. 
As  a  mother,  how  remarkable  is  his  kindness  to 
her.  "  She  was  ninety  years  of  age  when  Isaac 


58  THE    MOTHERS    OP    THE    BIBLE. 

was  born.  In  the  course  of  nature  ten  or  twelve 
years  would  have  closed  her  mortal  career,  or 
rendered  it,  from  the  infirmities  of  age,  a  burden 
to  herself  and  all  around  her.  There  was  appar- 
ently no  need  of  her  preservation  to  forward  the 
decrees  of  the  Lord.  In  giving  birth  to  the  child 
of  promise,  her  part  was  fulfilled,  and  at  the  age 
of  ten  or  twelve  the  boy  might  have  done  without 
her.  But  God  is  LOVE,  and  the  affections  of  his 
children  are,  in  their  strength  and  purity,  pecu- 
liarly acceptable  to  him.  He  never  bestoweth 
happiness  to  withdraw  it ;  and  therefore,  to  per- 
fect the  felicity  of  Sarah  and  her  child,  his  ten- 
derness preserved  her  in  life  and  vigor  seven  and 
thirty  years  after  she  had  given  him  birth.  The 
trial  of  faith,  also,  in  the  sacrifice  of  his  son, 
was  given  to  the  father.  He  demanded  not 
from  her  what  he  knew  the  mother  could  not 
bear." 

Strikingly,  too,  is  the  loving-kindness  of  God 
manifested  in  Hagar's  history.  She  was  not  of 
the  chosen  race  ;  she  was  but  a  humble  bond- 
woman, and  very  faulty  in  character,  yet  he  took 
cognizance  of  her  woes,  and  twice  came  in  his 


SARAH   AND   HAGAR.  59 

own  glorious  person  to  her  aid,  and   bestowed 
upon  her  rich  and  abundant  blessings. 

Would  that,  amid  our  many  cares,  anxieties, 
and  sorrows,  we  could  ever  bear  in  mind  the  love 
of  him  who  wove  the  ties  by  which  our  hearts  are 
bound  to  our  children,  whose  tenderness  and 
sympathy  are  never-failing,  who  says  to  every 
one  of  his  redeemed  children,  "  Can  a  mother 
forget  her  child  ?  Yea,  they  may,  yet  will  I  not 
forget  thee." 


THE   WIFE   OF   LOT. 

"  Remember  Lot's  wife." 

THIS  was  our  Saviour's  injunction,  and  in  obe- 
dience to  it  we  here  take  occasion  to  address 
some,  who,  though  not  generally  interested  in  the 
study  of  the  Bible,  nor  in  such  volumes  as  this, 
may  nevertheless  glance  over  its  pages,  either 
accidentally  or  at  the  suggestion  of  a  friend. 

Do  not  be  offended  that  we  charge  you  with 
the  same  faults  as  she  possessed,  who  was  made  a 
perpetual  monument  of  folly,  and  whom  you  have 
ever  been  accustomed  to  regard  with  dislike,  and 
whom  you  think  you  do  not  in  any  particular 
resemble. 

Have  you  ever  seriously  considered  the  nature 
of  the  sin  which  Lot's  wife  committed  ?  Are  you 
quite  sure  that  you  are  not  chargeable  with  like 
foolishness  ?  Lot  and  his  family  dwelt  in  Sodom, 
a  place  where  not  a  single  righteous  man  or  wor- 
shipper of  the  true  God  could  be  found,  save  him- 
self. The  cry  of  the  wickedness  of  that  wicked 


THE   WIFE   OF   LOT.  61 

city  rose  up  to  heaven,  and  God  determined  to 
destroy  it.  He  sent  an  angel,  who  warned  Lot  to 
flee,  with  all  his  household,  to  the  mountains,  and 
to  go  in  such  haste  as  not  to  cast  a  single  glance 
behind,  lest  the  scorching  heat  of  the  fearful 
flame  should  devour  them  before  they  reached  a 
place  of  safety.  They  went ;  but  the  wife  and 
mother,  not  believing  the  message  of  the  angel, 
and  grieved  at  leaving  her  home  and  worldly  pos- 
sessions, turned  a  lingering,  longing  look  back 
on  the  doomed  city,  and  was  instantly  destroyed. 
Her  sin  was  unbelief,  —  its  fruit  was  disobedience 
to  the  direct  command  of  God. 

You,  dear  friends,  live  in  a  world  in  which  like 
sentence  has  gone  forth.  "  The  earth,  and  the 
works  that  are  therein,  shall  be  burned  up."  Do 
you  believe  this  word  of  God  ?  Perhaps  you  will 
answer  that  it  is  of  little  consequence  whether 
you  do  believe  or  not,  as  the  day  is  far  distant, 
and  will  affect  you  little.  But  there  is  another 
word  of  God  which  is  addressed  to  you.  "  It  is 
appointed  unto  men  once  to  die."  Do  you  believe 
this  ?  You  will  say  it  is  preposterous  to  ask  such 
a  question.  We  know  that  we  shall  die  ;  we 
6 


62  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

must  believe  that.  But  do  you  act  as  if  you 
believed  it  ?  Are  you  prepared  for  it  ?  Are  you 
so  training  your  children  that  they  shall  be  pre- 
pared for  it  ?  When  the  summons  comes,  will  it 
find  you  willing  to  leave  this  world,  and  all  its 
pleasures,  and  enter  at  God's  command  on  untried 
scenes  ?  There  is  yet  another  message  which 
God  is  even  now  speaking  in  your  ears  :  "  Flee 
from  the  wrath  to  come."  "  He  that  belie veth 
on  the  Son  hath  everlasting  life ;  he  that  believeth 
not  the  Son  shall  not  see  life,  but  the  wrath  of 
God  abideth  on  him."  Is  this  message  any  more 
acceptable  to  you  than  was  that  of  the  angel  to 
Lot's  wife  ?  Do  you  credit  it  at  all  ?  Are  you 
taking  any  means  to  avoid  the  wrath  or  gain  the 
faith  of  which  it  speaks  ?  Are  you  daily  instruct- 
ing your  children,  those  who  are  so  precious  to 
you  that  you  would  shield  them  with  your  life 
from  harm,  to  flee  from  this  fearful  wrath  ? 
When  you  lie  down  at  night  and  when  you  wake, 
do  you  earnestly  pray  for  mercy  for  them  and 
yourself?  Do  you  lead  their  young  affections  to 
the  Saviour,  as  the  one  most  worthy  of  their 
love  ?  Do  you  teach  them  to  bend  the  knee  and 


THE   WIFE    OF   LOT.  63 

fold  the  little  hands  in  prayer  ?  Is  there  anything 
in  your  daily  life  to  convince  them  that  you  fully 
believe  this  truth  of  God's  word  ?  Do  you  not 
rather  so  live  as  to  prove  yourselves  participators 
in  the  very  sins  of  Lot's  wife,  —  unbelief  and 
disobedience  ? 

We  beg  you,  by  your  peace  of  mind,  by  your 
own  eternal  welfare,  by  your  love  for  the  immortal 
beings  committed  to  your  care,  by  the  death  and 
atoning  sacrifice  of  your  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus 
Christ,  to  "  think  on  these  things." 

Perhaps  you  are  devising  plans  and  cher- 
ishing expectations  for  your  loved  ones,  which 
such  views  as  these  would  disturb  and  destroy. 
In  this,  also,  your  circumstances  are  not  unlike 
those  of  the  mother  of  Lot's  children.  She  had 
two  daughters  who  were  affianced  to  two  men 
of  that  gay  but  devoted  city.  Doubtless  she 
rejoiced  in  what  she  considered  their  good  fortune 
and  excellent  prospects.  Have  you  ever  inquired 
after  the  fate  of  those  daughters,  and  the  result 
of  their  early  training  ?  Seek  the  history  in  the 
book  of  God,  and  do  not  turn  away  with  disgust 
because  we  have  directed  you  to  it,  and  with 


C4  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

entire  assurance  that  your  daughters  will  walk 
the  path  of  life  clear  of  all  such  dangers.  The 
worldly-minded,  ungodly  mother  has  no  security  for 
the  upright  conduct  of  her  children,  even  according 
to  the  low  standard  of  the  icorld's  morality.  The 
only  security  for  ourselves,  and  those  to  whom  we 
have  given  being,  is  a  firm  faith  in  the  words  of 
God,  and  an  obedient  spirit  to  his  commands. 
Failing  of  these,  we  may  any  of  us  be  as  lasting 
monuments  of  his  displeasure  as  Lot's  wife  ;  and 
our  children  may  sink  to  a  degradation  even 
worse  than  that  of  hers. 


REBEKAH. 

THREE  striking  and  instructive  pictures  present 
themselves  to  us  as  we  commence  the  study  of 
Rebekah's  life,  which  we  cannot  do  better  than 
contemplate  with  earnest  interest  and  attention. 

ABRAHAM    AND    ELIEZER. 

Three  years  have  circled  their  lonely  round 
since  Sarah  went  to  her  rest.  They  have  done 
the  work  of  a  longer  time  upon  Abraham,  and  he 
now  appears  before  us  an  old  man,  stricken  in 
years,  upon  whom  a  hundred  and  forty  winters 
have  shed  their  snows,  and  who  has  few  remaining 
duties  to  perform  this  side  the  grave.  With  him 
is  Eliezer,  the  tried  and  faithful  steward  of  his 
household,  and,  like  himself,  the  obedient  servant 
of  God.  The  time  has  come  when,  in  accordance 
with  the  habit  of  his  nation,  the  father  must  select 
a  wife  for  his  son.  Apparently  the  subject  has 
cost  him  much  anxious  thought.  Upon  Isaac's 
marriage  great  results  depend.  He  cannot  see 
6* 


66  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

him  wedded  to  one  of  the  idolatrous  daughters  of 
Canaan.  That  were  to  frustrate  the  purposes  of 
God,  and  thus  surely  defeat  his  own  happiness. 
The  land  of  Canaan  has  been  promised  to  his 
descendants  indeed,  but  not  through  any  such 
connection  with  its  present  occupants  will  the 
promise  be  accomplished.  They  are  a  guilty 
race,  fast  filling  up  their  measure  of  iniquity,  and 
devoted  to  merited  destruction  by  the  righteous 
judgment  of  Heaven.  To  be  united  with  them 
were  to  share  their  doom.  Abraham  in  this 
emergency  had,  doubtless,  asked  counsel  of  his 
covenant  God,  and  he  has  summoned  Eliezer  to 
aid  him  in  prosecuting  his  present  design  of 
bringing  a  wife  for  Isaac  from  among  his  own 
kindred.  He  requires  from  him  a  solemn  oath 
that  he  will  faithfully  execute  the  mission.  Elie- 
zer, wishing  fully  to  understand  his  master's 
wishes,  and  unwilling  to  bind  himself  to  what  he 
may  not  be  able  to  perform,  replies,  "  Peradven- 
ture  the  woman  will  not  be  willing  to  follow  me 
to  this  land,  must  I  needs  bring  thy  son  again 
unto  the  land  from  whence  thou  earnest  ?  "  The 
answer  is  instant  and  decided,  "Beware  that  thou 


REBEKAII.  67 

bring  not  my  son  thither  again."  He,  indeed, 
desires  him  to  have  a  wife  from  Mesopotamia,  but 
nothing  in  Abraham's  eyes  was  ever  so  important 
as  the  exact  fulfilment  of  all  the  commands  of 
God.  He  would  not,  for  any  reason,  have  Isaac 
leave  the  country  in  which,  by  Jehovah's  express 
will,  they  sojourned.  In  the  spirit  of  obedience, 
and  of  the  faith  which  never  forsook  him,  he 
assures  Eliezer  that  he  will  be  guided  and  pros- 
pered, and  will  succeed  in  his  endeavor.  "  The 
Lord  God  of  heaven,  which  took  me  from  my 
father's  house,  and  from  the  land  of  my  kindred, 
and  which  spake  unto  me,  and  sware  unto  me, 
saying,  Unto  thy  seed  will  I  give  this '  land  :  he 
shall  send  his  angel  before  thee,  and  thou  shalt 
take  a  wife  for  my  son  from  thence." 

Eliezer  took  the  required  oath,  and  "arose  and 
went  to  Mesopotamia,  unto  the  city  of  Nahor." 

ELIEZER    AND     REBEKAH. 

It  is  the  close  of  day,  the  time  when  the 
women  of  the  East  go  forth  to  draw  water,  as  is 
their  universal  custom.  Dressed  in  their  best 
attire,  the  young  maidens  gather  about  the  well, 


G8  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

to  relate  the  news  of  the  day,  and  refresh  them- 
selves, even  in  the  midst  of  their  weary  task,  by 
pleasant  intercourse.  As  they  come  one  by  one 
to  the  usual  place  of  meeting,  their  attention  is 
attracted  by  a  group  of  strangers  stationed  at  the 
well-side  :  men  of  foreign  garb,  and  camels 
kneeling  to  rest,  all  evidently  from  a  journey 
through  the  desert.  We  are  drawn  ourselves  to 
scan  this  group  more  closely.  One  man  appears 
to  be  chief  among  them,  and  his  conduct  fixes 
our  attention.  He  seems  like  one  who  has  some 
important  business  in  hand,  and  upon  whom  some 
weight  of  responsibility  rests.  As  we  look,  he 
employs  Himself  with  caring  for  his  camels  and 
attendants,  and  when  this  is  done  assumes  the  air 
and  attitude  of  solemn  devotion.  But  he  bows  to 
no  idol.  He  prefers  an  earnest  suit,  but  to  none 
of  the  gods  of  the  land.  He  addresses  Jehovah, 
the  God  of  Abraham.  His  prayer  is  most  remark- 
able. It  breathes  a  faith  which  to  common  mor- 
tals appears  like  presumption.  Yet  it  is  not 
unacceptable  to  God.  Such  confidence  in  his 
overruling  providence,  and  his  willingness  to 
guide  those  who  are  in  perplexity,  exalts  the  King 


REBEKAII.  69 

of  kings.  He  will  surely  make  a  plain  path  for 
all  who  thus  pray.  There  is  in  the  heart  which 
is  truly  devoted  to  God  a  noting  of  circumstances, 
a  watching  unto  prayer,  a  disposition  to  see  him, 
and  ascertain  his  will,  in  all  events,  which  cannot 
fail  of  its  reward. 

"And  he  said,  0  Lord  God  of  my  master 
Abraham,  I  pray  thee  send  me  good  speed  this 
day,  and  show  kindness  unto  my  master  Abraham. 
Behold,  I  stand  here  by  the  well  of  water ; 
and  the  daughters  of  the  men  of  the  city  come 
out  to  draw  water ;  and  let  it  come  to  pass  that 
the  damsel  to  whom  I  shall  say,  Let  down  thy 
pitcher,  I  pray  thee,  that  I  may  drink ;  and  she 
shall  say,  Drink,  and  I  will  give  thy  camels  drink 
also  :  let  the  same  be  she  that  thou  hast  appointed 
for  thy  servant  Isaac  ;  and  thereby  shall  I  know 
that  thou  hast  showed  kindness  unto  my  master." 

As  he  closes  his  petition,  a  beautiful  girl  comes 
from  the  way  of  the  city,  and,  without  stopping 
to  gossip  with  her  young  companions,  or  appear- 
ing to  heed  the  presence  of  strangers,  descends 
the  steps  to  the  well,  and  is  soon  seen  laboring 
up  the  ascent,  with  her  pitcher  filled  upon  her 


70  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

shoulder.  Eliezer  —  for  it  is  he  —  watches  her 
closely.  Her  beauty  and  grace  attract  and  please 
him,  and,  impelled  by  an  irresistible  impulse,  he 
hastens  to  meet  her,  and  begs  her  to  give  him 
water  from  her  pitcher.  With  ready  kindness 
she  answers,  "  Drink,  my  lord,  and  I  will  draw 
water  for  thy  camels  also,"  and  immediately 
hastens  to  fill  the  empty  trough,  ascending  and 
descending  many  times  the  weary  way  to  the  well. 
We  feel  indignant  as  we  gaze  at  the  indolent  men 
who  stand  by  and  offer  no  assistance.  They  seem 
to  us  unmanly,  and  she  engaged  in  work  for  which 
she  is  hardly  equal.  But  it  is  the  custom  of  her 
country,  and  she  deems  it  no  hardship.  She  is 
also  evidently  more  than  ordinarily  amiable  and 
courteous.  Eliezer  looks  on,  while  she  is  thus 
engaged,  with  admiration  and  hope,  and  when 
her  task  is  accomplished,  asks  her,  with  trembling 
eagerness,  "  Whose  daughter  art  thou  ?  tell  me, 
I  pray  thee."  Little  suspecting  the  deep  import 
of  the  question,  or  what  life-long  interests  are  to 
hang  upon  her  words,  she  answers,  with  prompt 
and  beautiful  simplicity,  "I  am  the  daughter  of 
Bethuel,  the  son  of  Milcah." 


KEBEKAH.  71 

Astonishment  is  depicted  on  the  faces  of  the 
wondering  damsels  at  the  deportment  of  the 
stranger  on  this  announcement.  He  seems  beside 
himself  with  joy.  He  puts  upon  Rebekah's  arms 
bracelets  of  richest  workmanship,  and  gives  her 
other  ornaments  of  value,  and  then  again,  unmind- 
ful of  all  about  him,  bows  and  worships  as  before. 

Many  are  the  prayers  for  aid  which  go  up  in 
the  time  of  need  from  the  children  of  men,  but 
very  few,  in  comparison,  are  the  thank-offerings 
which  acknowledge  the  gift  when  received.  Often 
only  one  in  ten  is  found  who  gives  glory  to  God 
for  his  prompt  bestowal  of  desired  good.  Elie- 
zer  was  in  heart  and  soul  the  true  servant  of 
Jehovah,  as  his  outpouring  of  gratitude  at 
Rebekah's  answer  proves. 

Meanwhile,  Rebekah  herself,  bewildered  and 
surprised,  hastens  to  tell  her  mother  what  had 
befallen  her,  and  to  send  her  brother  to  invite  the 
stranger  home.  He  comes,  and  relates  his  story 
to  the  eagerly  listening  family.  Well  did  they 
know  the  history  of  Abraham's  departure  from 
country  and  kindred  at  the  command  of  an 
unknown  God,  and  tidings  had  from  time  to  time 


72  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

reached  them  of  his  obedience  and  faithfulness, 
and  of  the  prosperity  which  had  attended  him. 
They  could  not  but  admire  his  noble  character, 
and  they  had  learned,  to  reverence  the  God  whom 
he  served,  though  still  themselves  adhering  to 
their  idols.  And  now,  when  the  errand  of  Elie- 
zer  is  made  known,  they  receive  it  as  an  intima- 
tion of  the  will  of  Jehovah,  and  without  hesita- 
tion assent  to  his  proposals. 

Again    Eliezer  worships   and   gives    thanks  ; 
costly  jewels  of  gold  and  silver  are  brought  forth, 
and  rich  raiment ;  goodly  gifts  are  bestowed  ;   a 
table  is  spread,  and  joy  and  gladness  prevail. 
***** 

The  morning  has  come  —  such  a  morning  as 
Rebekah  never  saw  before.  Yestereven  she  went 
forth  free,  and  careless,  and  light-hearted,  to  meet 
her  young  companions  at  the  well ;  to-day  she 
rises  the  betrothed  bride  of  her  unknown  cousin 
—  the  destined  wife  of  him  who  is  the  vowed 
follower  of  that  strange  God,  whose  very  name 
fills  her  spirit  with  awe.  Henceforth,  in  obedi- 
ence to  his  high  commands,  and  for  the  love  of 
one  whom  she  has  never  seen,  she  must  be  an 


REBEKAH.  73 

exile  from  home  and  friends,  and  share  a  destiny 
widely  different  from  any  which  had  ever  before 
filled  her  youthful  imagination  or  inspired  her 
hopes.  Can  she  go  ?  It  is  needless  to  ask.  The 
question  has  been  decided  without  consulting  her 
wishes,  and  she  dreams  not  of  any  objection  to 
that  decision.  But  twelve  hours  have  changed 
her  greatly.  She  has  laid  aside  the  gayety  and 
freedom  of  girlhood.  A  burden  of  thoughtful- 
ness  rests  upon  her,  and  the  calm  dignity  of  the 
woman  appears  in  word  and  action,  as  she  pre- 
pares, at  the  urgent  request  of  Eliezer,  to  depart 
immediately  on  the  journey  to  Beersheba. 

The  necessary  arrangements  are  soon  completed, 
the  parting  embrace  is  given  and  received,  the 
blessings  of  full  hearts  are  bestowed,  the  long 
caravan  is  directed  to  move  —  she  is  gone.  The 
hand  of  the  Lord  is  in  it. 

REBEKAH   AND    ISAAC. 

The  time  has  arrived  when  Eliezer  may  be 

expected  to  return  from  Mesopotamia,  and  Isaac 

comes  from  the  south  country,  where  he  has  been 

for  a  time  residing,  to  the  house  of  his  father,  to 

7 


74  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

learn  the  result  of  his  mission.  He  has  gone 
forth  in  the  beautiful  and  quiet  evening  to  medi- 
tate in  the  fields  and  commune  with  God.  Serene 
and  happy  from  that  communion,  he  is  now  seen 
walking  to  meet  the  caravan,  which  at  this 
moment  appears  in  sight,  slowly  winding  along 
the  road  to  Beersheba.  As  he  approaches,  the 
riders  alight  from  their  camels  and  advance  to 
meet  him.  Few  words  are  spoken  as  they  pro- 
ceed on  foot  to  the  encampment  of  Abraham. 
Isaac  conducts  his  youthful  bride,  completely 
veiled,  and  wholly  unknown,  to  his  mother's  tent, 
and  bids  her  call  it  henceforth  her  home.  Amid 
the  hallowed  associations  of  that  sacred  spot,  he 
receives  to  his  heart  the  gentle  and  confiding 
being  who,  leaving  forever  the  home  of  her  child- 
hood, and  all  loved  scenes,  has  dared  the  dangers 
of  the  desert,  to  walk  the  journey  of  life  with 
one  of  whose  character  she  has  known  little,  and 
on  whose  face  she  till  now  has  never  looked. 

She  stands  before  him  in  youthful  beauty  and 
modest  grace,  his  loving  and  beloved  wife,  and 
Isaac  is  comforted  for  the  first  time  since  his 
mother's  parting  kiss  had  left  him  alone  and  sad. 


REBEKAH.  75 

Can  such  a  marriage  be  happy  ?  I  hear  my 
young  readers  ask.  Not  for  worlds  would  we  be 
wedded  thus.  We  would  not  have  our  parents 
choose  for  us  the  partners  of  our  life.  We  would 
not  give  ourselves  to  one  of  whom  we  knew  noth- 
ing, and  who  had  never  expressed  a  preference  for 
us.  We  could  not  be  happy — it  is  impossible. 

Be  not  too  hasty,  my  young  friends.  Happi- 
ness is  the  gift  of  God,  not  the  result  of  for- 
tunate circumstances,  and  pleasant  coincidences, 
and  nice  adaptations  of  character.  His  blessing 
can  render  any  union  bright,  and  without  that 
blessing  the  fairest  prospects  shall  prove  false  and 
fleeting. 

Can  this  blessing  be  certainly  secured  ?  Yes. 
Consider  the  character  and  conduct  of  those  en- 
gaged in  the  transactions  of  which  we  have  read. 
Abraham  seeks  a  wife  for  Isaac.  What  is  his 
ruling  desire  ?  The  approbation  of  God.  Her 
person,  her  situation  in  life,  her  fortunes,  these 
are  nothing  to  him  ;  but  she  must  be  one  whom 
he  knows  God  will  approve.  Isaac  is  a  man  of 
prayer  and  faith.  In  perfect  simplicity  and  con- 
fidence he  leaves  this  important  interest  of  his  life 


76  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

wholly  to  God's  direction  ;  even  the  very  servant 
who  goes  on  the  mission  is  a  man  of  rare  piety, 
to  whom  prayer  is  a  necessity,  and  who  regards 
every  event  as  an  intimation  of  the  will  of  Jeho- 
vah. Every  step  is  taken,  everything  is  done, 
with  direct  reference  to  his  approbation,  and  will 
he  fail  to  bless  and  prosper  ?  No,  verily.  He 
never  yet  said  to  any  such,  "  Seek  ye  my  face  in 
vain."  He  will  watch  over  Isaac  and  his  youth- 
ful wife  for  good.  Long  years  shall  they  walk 
hand  in  hand,  and  theirs  shall  be  a  union  such  as 
we  read  of  seldom  on  the  sacred  page,  unbroken 
to  the  end  of  life,  which  no  jealousy  shall  mar, 
and  not  even  the  wide-spread  practice  of  poly- 
gamy, that  curse  of  domestic  peace,  shall  ever 
be  permitted  to  invade.  Rebekah  is,  indeed, 
now  a  worshipper  of  idols,  but  she  has  already 
learned  to  fear  His  mighty  name,  and  he  will  by 
his  grace,  and  because  his  glory  has  been  sought, 
render  her  worthy  to  be  the  wife  of  Isaac  and 
mother  of  the  promised  seed  —  an  important  link 
in  that  mighty  chain  of  events  which  will  at 
length  usher  upon  the  world  the  reign  of  Him  in 
whom  all  the  nations  shall  be  blessed. 


REBEKAH.  77 

"  Prayer  is  the  slender  nerve  that  moveth  the 
muscles  of  Omnipotence." 

Wouldst  thou  have  a  path  of  usefulness  and 
peace  pointed  out  to  thee  by  him  who  directeth 
all  events,  and  ordereth  the  lot  of  man,  pray  sin- 
cerely and  earnestly  for  it,  young  adventurer 
over  the  rugged  ways  of  earth,  and  thy  prayer 
shall  move  the  Almighty  hand  ;  that  hand  which 
alone  can  make  the  crooked  straight,  and  the 

rough  places  plain. 

****** 

Beside  the  well  Lahairoi,  not  far  from  Beershe- 
ba,  are  pitched  the  spreading  and  far-reaching 
tents  of  Isaac,  the  faithful  and  prospered  servant 
of  Jehovah.  Blessings  from  above  have  waited 
on  his  steps  ;  his  goings  out  and  comings  in  have 
been  beneath  the  smile  of  the  Lord  his  Maker. 
Serene  and  peaceful  has  been  his  life,  passed  in 
quiet  pursuits,  in  the  society  of  his  gentle  wife, 
and  in  frequent  intercourse  with  his  honored  fa- 
ther. It  would  seem  that  perfect  content  should 
be  the  portion  of  those  so  favored.  But  we  find 
it  not  thus.  In  the  retirement  of  their  tent,  at 
the  close  of  the  day,  twenty  years  from  their 
7* 


78  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

bridal,  Isaac  and  Rebekah  sit  conversing,  long, 
earnestly  and  anxiously  ;  and  at  last,  as  if  by 
mutual  impulse,  they  kneel  together  in  prayer, 
and  Isaac  pours  forth  their  joint  supplications  for 
a  crowning  blessing,  without  which  all  others 
prove  incapable  of  rendering  them  truly  satisfied 
and  happy.  Listen,  while  the  meek  and  trusting 
servant  pleads  with  his  covenant-keeping  God. 
He  recalls  the  day  when  Jehovah  summoned  his 
father  from  his  native  land,  and  recounts  the 
promises  of  divine  love  made  to  him  and  his  seed 
after  him.  Can  those  reiterated  promises  fail  ? 
Is  God  a  man  that  he  should  lie,  or  the  son  of 
man  that  he  should  repent  ?  "In  Isaac  shall 
thy  seed  be  called."  "  If  thou  be  able  to  num- 
ber the  stars,  so  shall  thy  seed  be."  These  words 
surely  were  not  lightly  spoken.  They  were 
uttered  by  him  who  is  mighty  in  working,  as  wise 
in  counsel.  Isaac  believes,  and  therefore  prays, 
and  they  rise  refreshed,  and  at  ease,  doubting 
nothing,  and  resorting  to  no  crooked  policy  to 
secure  their  earnest  wishes. 

Beautiful  is  the  faith  of  those  who  thus  simply 
and   confidingly   make   known   their   desires  to 


REBEKAH.  79 

Jehovah,  and  glorious  is  the  condescension  and 
grace  of  their  Omnipotent  Friend,  who  bends  a 
listening  ear  to  hear,  and  reaches  forth  a  willing 
hand  to  fulfil  their  requests.  Far  too  seldom  and 
too  briefly  do  we  dwell  on  the  thought  of  that 
wonderful  love,  which  is  so  ready,  not  merely  to 
save  our  souls  and  give  us  heavenly  bliss,  but  also 
to  secure  our  present  happiness. 

Twenty  years  have  rolled  since  their  marriage- 
day,  and  Isaac  and  Rebekah  are  childless.  They 
cannot  be  happy  thus.  They  tell  their  disap- 
pointment to  him  who  has  the  control  of  all 
events,  and  humbly  ask  his  interposition,  and 
obtain  the  desired  blessing.  There  is  no  event 
interesting  to  us  which  attracts  not  the  notice  of 
our  heavenly  Father,  and  which  we  may  not  sub- 
mit to  him,  as  a  sympathizing  friend.  No  earth- 
ly friend  can  possibly  appreciate  our  sorrows,  or 
understand  our  necessities,  as  he  does,  and  no 
human  heart  owns  a  love  so  pure,  so  unselfish,  so 
strong,  as  he  feels  for  every  child  he  has  on  earth. 

If  we  are  childless,  we  may  ask  him  to  pity 
our  loneliness.  Many  of  his  devoted  children 
have  thus  appealed  to  him,  and  been  heard.  If 


80  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

we  have  children  who  are  sources  of  deep  anx- 
iety, we  may  always  cast  our  care  upon  him. 
Even  he  once  said,  "I  have  nourished  and 
brought  up  children,  and  they  have  rebelled 
against  me." 

****** 

The  mother  is  distressed.  With  what  delight- 
ful consciousness  that  a  new  life  is  springing  from 
her  own,  has  come  also  an  intuitive  sense  that  all 
is  not  right,  and  again  she  seeks  God.  If,  in  love 
and  mercy,  he  has  answered  her  prayer,  and 
the  wish  of  her  life  is  to  be  gratified,  why  this 
unwonted  suffering  ?  She  asks  at  his  mouth, 
and  receives  a  reply  which  foretells  the  cares  and 
anxieties  of  her  future  life,  and  lays  a  foun- 
dation for  the  only  departure  from  strict  rectitude 
which  is  recorded  in  her  history.  She  shall  bear 
two  sons,  who,  from  the  very  commencement,  are 
to  be  antagonistic  to  each  other,  and  the  elder 
shall  not  be  the  heir  of  Abraham's  promised 
blessings.  Did  Rebekati  comprehend  the  full 
import  of  these  words  ?  Did  she  gain  from 
them  a  glimpse  of  the  troubled  life  she  was  to 
lead  ?  We  do  not  know.  Her  boys  were  wel- 


REBEKAH.  81 

corned  with  all  a  mother's  tenderness,  and  proba- 
bly shared  equally,  for  a  time,  her  care  and  love, 
though  it  may  be  that  her  eye  sometimes  fastened 
on  Jacob  with  deeper  interest,  as  she  recalled  the 
words  of  the  Lord,  and  remembered  that  he  was 
the  chosen  seed.  A  happy  family  now  gathered 
nightly  in  Isaac's  tent,  and  the  joy  was  complete 
when  Abraham,  the  aged  and  infirm,  but  deeply 
respected  and  loved  grandfather,  joined  the  circle, 
and  dandled  on  his  knees  the  grandsons  whom  his 
dim  eyes  were  so  gladdened  to  behold.  Fifteen 
years  he  watched  their  growth,  and  rejoiced  in 
their  unfolding  faculties,  and  then  departed  from 
earth,  and  they  saw  him  laid  in  the  grave  of  Mach- 
pclah,  by  her  side  who  had  been  to  their  father 
the  fondest  and  most  faithful  of  mothers,  and 
whose  name  they  had  been  taught  to  revere  and 
love. 

Years  rolled  on,  many  years,  bringing  with 
them  to  Rebeknh  the  cares  and  anxieties  of  a 
mother's  life,  and  also  a  mother's  rich  compen- 
sations. She  was  no  longer  lonely  or  listless. 
Every  day  brought  new  joys  and  new  employ- 
ments, and  more  imperative  necessity  for  discre- 


82  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

tion  and  wisdom  in  the  management  of  her  charge. 
Every  day  unfolded  the  opposite  characters  of  her 
children.  Esau,  ever  impulsive,  ardent,  and  over- 
bearing, yet  overflowing  with  affection,  required 
an  entirely  different  discipline  from  his  unassum- 
ing and  quiet  brother,  whose  winning  traits  and 
obedient  spirit,  in  contrast  with  Esau's  turbulence, 
at  length  caused  her  to  swerve  so  widely  from  the 
path  of  maternal  rectitude.  Yet  there  was  much 
in  Esau's  manly  activity  to  call  forj;h  admiration, 
and  she,  doubtless,  often  felt  a  mother's  pride 
when  she  saw  him  return  from  the  field,  glowing 
with  health,  and  flushed  with  the  exhilaration  of 
successful  sport,  to  lay  his  trophies  at  the  feet  of 
his  aged  and  fond  father,  and  prepare  the  venison 
that  he  loved.  But  her  heart  turned  in  its  ten- 
derness to  him  who  was  considerate  of  her  slight- 
est wish,  and  with  whom,  moreover,  she  knew  the 
blessing  of  Jehovah  rested. 

But  notwithstanding  the  difference  in  the  two 
boys,  and  notwithstanding  the  evil  partiality  of 
both  parents,  no  serious  unhappiness  followed, 
until,  at  the  age  of  forty  years,  Esau  suddenly 
withdrew  from  the  little  circle,  and  established  a 


REBEKAH.  83 

family  of  his  own,  by  taking  two  wives  from  among 
the  idolaters  around  them.  Heeding  not  the 
known  will  of  Jehovah,  and  little  regarding  the 
wishes  of  his  parents,  or  the  grief  he  might  cause 
them,  he,  from  this  time,  manifested  such  an  indif- 
ference to  holy  things,  such  a  contempt  even  for 
the  blessings  covenanted  to  his  family,  such  a 
thoroughly  selfish  disposition,  as  to  prove  himself 
wholly  unworthy  of  his  birthright  privileges,  and 
increase  his  mother's  fondness  for  her  younger 
son.  The  bitter  evil  to  which  that  overweening 
fondness  at  length  led,  we  are  all  familiar  with. 
She  allowed  herself  to  dwell  too  often  on  the 
faults  of  one  child  and  the  virtues  of  the  other, 
until  she  came  at  length  to  deceive  her  husband, 
to  stain,  by  her  own  example  and  counsel,  the  soul 
of  her  loved  one  with  falsehood  and  fraud,  to  em- 
bitter and  madden  the  heart  of  her  eldest-born, 
and  bring  upon  her  own  and  her  husband's  declin- 
ing years  sorrow  and  desolation. 

****** 

Alone  and  sorrowful,  bearing  the  marks  of  age 
and  care,  and  wrapped  in  absorbing  meditations, 
Rebekah  sits  in  her  tent,  at  the  close  of  a  day 


84  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

which  has  been  to  her  one  of  sadness  and  gloom. 
We  will  suppose  it  the  anniversary  of  the  birth 
of  her  children,  three  years  subsequent  to  the 
bestowal  of  the  paternal  benediction  upon  Jacob. 
She  is  reviewing  her  life.  She  wanders  back  in 
imagination  more  than  a  hundred  years,  to  her 
bridal  day,  and  recalls  the  happiness  and  peace- 
fulness  of  the  period  when  she  was  her  husband's 
dearest  companion,  and  when  no  oppressing  care 
weighed  upon  her  spirit.  She  remembers  how,  as 
the  months  sped,  their  desire  for  the  fulfilment 
of  the  divine  promise  led  them  at  last  to  plead 
earnestly  for  the  blessing  of  a  child.  It  is  now 
eighty  years  since  that  prayer  was  fulfilled.  How 
vividly  do  the  scenes  present  themselves  before 
her.  Her  joy  at  the  prospect  of  becoming  a 
mother,  and  then  her  anxiety  caused  by  the  un- 
usual suffering  she  experienced.  She  remembers 
the  answer  given  by  the  Almighty  to  her  inquiry, 
"  Why  am  I  thus  ? "  and  a  groan  escapes  her  lips. 
Then  commenced  the  sorrows  of  her  life.  Not 
because  new  cares  then  began  ;  not  because  the 
quiet  of  her  days  was  then  changed  for  the 
excitements  which  children  ever  bring.  These 


REBEKAH.  85 

might  have  been  only  sources  of  new  pleasure. 
But,  then  commenced  her  sin.  0,  what  misery 
had  it  caused  her,  and  what  self-reproach  did  she 
now  feel !  Had  she  been  a  faithful  and  just 
mother ;  had  she  bestowed  equal  affection  upon 
her  children,  the  life-long  conflict  between  them 
might  have  been  spared.  How  plainly  her  early 
mistakes  appear  before  her  now ;  how  clear  in 
memory's  glass  is  pictured  every  evil  conse- 
quence !  The  childish  quarrels,  the  more  bitter 
differences  of  riper  years,  and,  worse  than  all, 
the  serious  defects  of  character  which  both  exhib- 
ited. Had  she  always  regarded  Esau  with  a 
mother's  tender  love,  Jacob,  in  all  probability, 
would  not  have  taken  advantage  of  his  brother's 
extremity  to  defraud  him  of  his  birthright.  Had 
she  not  overvalued  Jacob  on  account  of  his  being 
heir  of  the  covenant,  Esau  might  not  have  come 
to  despise  its  privileges.  She  follows  down  the 
track  of  years,  dwelling  long  and  earnestly  on  all 
the  joys  and  sorrows  they  had  brought.  But 
most  painfully  present  to  her  mind  is  the  day  of 
her  severest  trial  and  her  worst  sin.  Again,  in 
imagination,  she  hears  Isaac's  command  to  Esau 
8 


86  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

to  bring  him  venison  from  the  field,  and  receive 
his  blessing,  and  feels  anew  the  tumult  of  thought 
which  those  words  occasioned,  and  the  distress 
lest  Jacob  should  after  all  be  set  aside.  Her 
sudden  resolve,  and  hasty  efforts  to  prevent  such 
a  calamity,  rise  before  her.  Again  she  prepares 
the  kid,  and  disguises  her  fair  son  with  its  deli- 
cate skin,  and  quiets  his  remonstrances  and  fears 
by  assuming  herself  all  the  risk,  even  the  curse 
which  might  descend.  She  takes  from  their 
sacred  resting-place  the  sacerdotal  garments  kept 
for  this  important  occasion,  and  with  them  arrays 
her  favorite,  and,  when  all  is  prepared,  listens  in 
breathless  anxiety  to  all  that  passes  in  that  fear- 
ful interview.  How  dreadful  in  her  ears  are  the 
reiterated  falsehoods  of  the  son  whom,  up  to  that 
hour,  she  had  ever  taught  to  revere  the  truth. 
How  she  shudders  as  she  recalls  his  impious 
appeal  to  the  aid  of  the  Almighty.  Even  Isaac's 
solemn  blessing  thrills  her  heart  with  fear.  And 
then  that  exceeding  great  and  bitter  cry  of  her 
first-born,  her  long  slighted,  deeply  injured  son, 
how  it  echoes  through  the  chambers  of  her  soul, 
and  seems  by  some  mysterious  power  to  enlighten 


REBEKAH.  87 

the  darkness,  and  reveal  to  her  the  secret  work- 
ings of  that  blind  partiality  which  had  so  indu- 
rated her  moral  perceptions,  that  until  now  she 
had  been  ignorant  of  its  extent  and  guiltiness. 
She  scarcely  wonders,  when  she  dwells  on  all  the 
past,  at  Esau's  burning  and  murderous  anger, 
though  sudden  fear  again  overtakes  her  at  the 
remembrance  of  his  threatening  words ;  words 
which  have  banished  Jacob  from  his  home,  and 
rendered  her  the  desolate  being  she  is. 

In  the  retrospect  of  her  long  life,  there  are 
some  things  to  rejoice  in,  many  for  which  to  be 
thankful.  As  a  maiden,  she  had  been  fair,  lovely, 
and  virtuous,  the  joy  and  pride  of  fond  parents 
and  brothers.  As  a  wife,  she  had  been  faithful, 
and  very  happy,  and  able  ever  to  retain  a  firm 
hold  upon  the  conjugal  affection  which  had  glad- 
dened her  youth.  But  as  a  mother,  how  had  she 
failed  !  Yet  was  not  the  providence  and  prophecy 
of  God  the  cause  of  her  folly  ?  She  could  not  so 
excuse  herself.  Had  he,  the  Almighty  One,  any 
need  of  the  sins  and  infirmities  of  his  creatures, 
in  order  to  accomplish  his  purposes  ?  Could  he 
not  have  caused  Jacob  to  inherit  Abraham's  priv- 


88  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

ileges  without  her  crooked  and  unjust  course  ? 
Humbled  and  heart-stricken,  she  bows  in  deep 
repentance,  and  accepts  at  his  hands  the  bitter 
consequences.  Henceforth,  she  must  walk  her 
path  of  earth  alone.  Her  sons,  who,  in  their 
infancy,  had  so  gladdened  her  home,  will  cheer 
that  home  no  more.  Her  husband,  blind,  imbe- 
cile, and  helpless,  can  no  longer  share  her  joys, 
nor  bear  with  her  the  burdens  of  life. 

But  duty  is  still  hers.  With  meekness  and 
love  she  will  minister  to  the  many  wants  of  him 
who  has  loved  her  so  long,  and  by  her  patience 
strive  to  expiate  the  only  deceit  of  which  she  was 
ever  guilty  toward  him ;  and,  to  cheer  her  soli- 
tary days  and  nights,  she  will  hide  in  her  inmost 
heart  the  blessed  consolation,  that  even  as  the 
Eternal  needs  not  the  faults  of  men  to  forward 
his  designs,  neither  shall  those  faults  be  able  to 
frustrate  his  gracious  plans.  Her  shortcomings 
will  not  prevent  her  son  from  inheriting  the  cov- 
enant blessings,  nor  for  a  moment  turn  aside  the 
current  of  divine  love  which  is  to  flow  through 
him  to  a  guilty  world, 

We  have  drawn  a  picture  from  imagination  of 


REBEKAH.  89 

the  last  scenes  of  Rebekah's  life,  in  order  more 
fully  to  learn  the  lesson  it  teaches.  If  we  would 
often  strive  to  bring  before  us  the  probable 
thoughts  and  feelings  of  Bible  characters,  and 
place  ourselves  in  their  circumstances,  we  should 
gain  far  clearer  views  of  their  excellences  and 

faults. 

8* 


LEAH  AND  RACHEL. 

Two  sisters,  dwelling  under  one  roof,  loving 
and  beloved,  careless  of  the  future,  which  in  its 
beauty  and  freshness,  like  an  unclouded  morning 
just  opening  upon  them,  gives  no  hint  of  the 
darkness  which  may  gather,  or  the  tempests 
which  may  lower  before  the  day  is  done  ;  enter- 
ing a  path  which  seems  to  lead  through  smiling 
and  flowery  fields  on  to  some  land  of  perfect 
peace  ;  but  which  will,  ere  long,  find  the  weary 
and  heart-stricken  traveller  harassed  with  unfore- 
seen obstacles,  entangled  in  inextricable  thickets, 
or  plunged  all  unawares  in  some  miry  slough  of 
Despond,  —  such  are  Leah  and  Rachel,  when  on 
the  sacred  page  they  are  first  presented  to  our 
view.  We  regard  them  with  deep  and  growing 
interest  as  we  study  the  peculiarities  of  their  dif- 
fering characters,  and  glean  from  the  slight 
mementoes  which  are  left  us,  some  connected  his- 
tory of  their  more  widely  differing  destinies. 

Rachel  comes  ever  first  to  our  thoughts,  in  her 


LEAH    AND    RACHEL.  91 

witching  beauty,  the  pet  and  darling  of  her  self- 
ish father  —  the  life  of  the  house  —  the  spoiled 
child  —  the  blithesome,  light-hearted  young  shep- 
herdess, who  could  so  charm  and  entrance  her 
staid  and  quiet  cousin,  that  the  seven  years  through 
which  he  toiled  to  win  her,  consumed  by  heat  and 
chilled  by  frost,  seemed  to  him  but  a  few  days, 
for  the  love  he  had  to  her ;  and  who,  although 
eighty  years  had  passed  over  his  head  before  he 
claimed  her  for  his  bride,  and  youthful  impulse 
and  enthusiasm  had  long  since  fled,  and  romance 
had  expired,  still  cherished  for  her  through  life 
an  affection  such  as  we  find  not  in  any  page  of 
fiction.  But,  notwithstanding  her  beauty  and 
attractiveness,  Rachel  was,  as  we  have  said,  a 
spoiled  child,  and  she  took  this  character  into  her 
married  life,  to  her  own  sorrow,  and  the  evident 
unhappiness  of  those  around  her.  Wayward, 
and  accustomed  to  be  petted,  she  could  ill  endure 
to  be  crossed  even  by  Providence.  Envious  of 
her  sister,  and  impatient  under  any  delay  in  the 
fulfilment  of  her  wishes,  she  manifested  a  spirit 
which  brought  severe  rebuke  even  from  the  lips 
of  her  devoted  husband.  Months  and  years  were 


92  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

spent  by  her  in  a  tumult  of  discordant  feelings, 
and  in  resorting  to  unnatural  and  crooked  policy 
in  order  to  accomplish  her  end.  Far  from  prov- 
ing amiable  and  lovely  as  a  wife,  she  seems  to 
have  been  to  Jacob  often  a  severe  trial ;  yet,  he 
ever  loved  her,  even  as  in  the  first  days  of  fond- 
ness. But  at  length  the  disciplinary  process 
which  she  needed  seems  to  have  had  its  designed 
effect,  for  the  time  came  when  he  who  sits  as  the 
refiner  saw  fit  to  visit  her,  and  bestow  the  long- 
sought  blessing.  Happy  beyond  measure  in  the 
birth  of  a  son,  she  offers  her  tribute  of  gratitude, 
and  we  must  believe,  though  little  further  light 
shines  on  her  character,  that  the  fresh  fountain  of 
a  mother's  love,  newly  opened  in  her  heart, 
flowed  to  the  purifying  of  all  selfishness  and 
jealousy,  and  to  the  harmonizing  of  all  discordant 
elements  in  the  hitherto  distracted  family.  Would 
not  her  heart  feel  a  new  tie  to  her  husband,  the 
father  of  her  child  ?  Would  she  not  turn  again, 
with  self-reproach  and  reviving  love,  to  her  long- 
neglected  and  abused  sister,  the  once-cherished 
companion  of  her  childhood,  now  that  she  could 
understand  and  sympathize  in  her  maternal  joys 


LEAH    AND    RACHEL.  93 

and  cares  ?  Would  not  her  affection  be  called 
forth  as  never  before  toward  each  childish  member 
of  the  household,  invested  with  an  interest  hitherto 
unknown,  and  doubly  dear,  because  as  truly  the 
children  of  her  husband  as  her  own  cherished 
nursling  ?  That  she  was  a  happier  and  better 
woman  after  Joseph's  birth,  we  cannot  doubt,  and 
we  feel  sure  that  a  peace  never  before  experienced 
by  them  settled  on  Jacob's  family. 

But  complete  happiness  abides  not  long  a  ten- 
ant in  any  circle  on  earth.  That  which  had  been 
to  Rachel  the  strongest  desire  of  life,  became,  at 
length,  in  its  fulfilment,  the  occasion  of  her  death. 
She  who  had  felt  that  the  birth  of  a  son  could 
bring  only  joy,  who  had  said  "  Give  me  children 
or  else  I  die,"  saw  a  day,  when,  with  feeble,  ex- 
piring breath,  she  named  her  second  born 
"  Benoni  —  the  son  of  my  sorrow,"  and  departed 
from  earth,  leaving  her  two  helpless  ones  to  want 
a  mother's  care  and  love,  and  perhaps  wishing  as 
fervently  as  before  that  they  had  never  been  born, 
or  that  she  might  take  them  with  her  to  the  unseen 
world. 

She  was  taken  from  evil  to  come.     The  fear- 


94  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

ful  trial  which  threatened  to  bring  Jacob's  gray 
hairs  with  sorrow  to  the  grave,  she  was  spared. 
Her  memory  was  most  fondly  cherished.  Her 
children  —  how  tenderly  were  they  regarded 
because  they  were  hers,  and  what  can  exceed  in 
pathos  and  beauty  her  husband's  last  uttered 
remembrance  of  his  early  love,  when  bestowing 
on  Joseph's  sons  the  forfeited  birthright  of  Reu- 
ben, and,  wishing  to  bind  their  hearts  to  the  land 
of  Canaan,  he  reminds  them  that  it  was  the  place 
of  her  death,  and  that  her  bones  reposed  beneath 
its  soil. 

One  question  ever  comes  to  us  as  we  read  of 
Rachel's  death.  Did  Leah's  sorrowing  heart  find 
repose  at  length  in  the  assurance  of  her  husband's 
love  ?  When  Jacob  was  left  alone,  and  comfort- 
less, did  he  turn  to  her  for  consolation,  who  had 
so  long  endured  alone  for  his  sake  ?  We  do  not 
know.  From  her  childhood,  Leah  appears  to  have 
borne  the  yoke.  Although  she  was  the  eldest  in 
her  father's  house,  yet  Rachel's  superior  beauty 
and  vivacity  had  cast  her  into  the  shade,  and 
doubtless  rendered  her,  as  in  all  such  cases, 
reserved  and  silent,  and  less  attractive  than  she 


LEAH   AND   RACHEL.  95 

would  otherwise  have  been.  Yet,  there  beamed 
ever  from  her  eyes  a  loving  tenderness,  which 
betrayed  an  unusually  affectionate  heart,  and  lent 
a  charm  to  her  whole  deportment  which  mere 
regularity  of  features  cannot  give.  Oh !  how 
cruelly  was  that  affectionate,  clinging  heart 
doomed  to  suffer !  How  bitter  was  her  lot ! 
Forced  to  act  a  deceitful  and  most  revolting  part, 
her  feelings  of  delicacy  and  maidenly  propri- 
ety outraged  by  an  unfeeling  father,  she  became 
clandestinely  the  wife  of  one  who  sought  her  not, 
whom  she  knew  to  be  wholly  absorbed  in  love  to 
another  and  fairer,  but  to  whom  she  had  unwit- 
tingly given  the  wealth  of  her  own  rich  affections. 
From  her  bridal  day,  she  was  a  neglected, 
unloved  wife.  How  must  the  sounds  of  joy  have 
jarred  on  her  spirit  and  mocked  her  heart  during 
the  week  of  festivity  which  in  the  East  celebrates 
a  marriage.  And  yearning'  to  be  loved  as  she 
loved  herself,  what  anguish  must  she  have  felt 
when  another  week  gave  to  her  husband's  arms 
one  who  she  knew  must  entirely  supplant  her,  and 
blot  out  every  hope  of  winning,  even  by  the 
utmost  devotion,  the  heart  which  would  now,  more 


96  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

than  ever,  turn  from  her !  He  might  be  kind  to 
her,  as  he  doubtless  was.  Many  tokens  of  regard 
he  would  bestow  upon  her,  and  treat  her  with  the 
respect  due  the  oldest  and  first  wedded  wife  ;  but 
love  her,  he  could  not ;  she  knew  he  could  not. 
The  cares,  the  toils,  the  suffering  which  marriage 
brings,  shall  be  hers,  but  the  rich  compensation, 
the  pure,  overflowing,  confiding  love,  which  cheers 
and  lightens  care,  and  which  woman  will  be  a 
living  martyr  to  win  —  this  she  will  never  know. 
But  Leah,  thus  seemingly  desolate  and  wretched, 
was  not  forsaken.  The  Eye  that  pondereth  all 
hearts  was  a  witness  to  her  conflicts,  and  Almighty 
love  came  to  her  relief.  A  mother's  joys  were 
soon  in  store  for  her,  and  with  the  prospect  came 
delightful  thoughts  of  gratitude  to  God,  and  fond 
anticipations  of  brighter  days.  "  Surely  the 
Lord  hath  looked  upon  my  affliction  ;  now,  there- 
fore, my  husband  will  love  me."  Alas!  poor 
Leah  !  She  knew  the  important  blessing  prom- 
ised in  Abraham's  covenant  was  a  numerous  seed, 
and  she  thought  surely  the  birth  of  her  son,  so 
desirable  an  event,  would  win  her  a  place  in  her 
husband's  heart.  This  hope  cheered  every  hour 


LEAH    AND    RACHEL.  97 

of  weariness  and  suffering,  and  sustained  her  in 
her  agony,  and  when  that  was  past,  and  tidings 
were  borne  to  Jacob  that  he  was  a  father,  how 
eagerly  she  listened  for  his  approaching  footsteps 
—  with  what  intense  earnestness  she  scanned  the 
face  so  dear,  to  learn  that  she  had  not  suffered  in 
vain  !  Her  babe  was  not  a  daughter,  so  lightly 
esteemed  in  Eastern  countries.  God,  the  God  of 
his  father,  had  bestowed  the  blessing,  and  it  was 
a  son  she  had  to  give.  He  could  not  turn  coldly 
from  her  —  he  must  love  her  now. 

She  was  doomed  to  disappointment.  A  new 
grief  weighed  on  her  heart,  and  when  her  second 
son  was  given  to  her  arms  there  was  no  hope  in 
her  words,  but  only  a  meek,  subdued  expression 
of  love  to  Him  who  knew  her  sorrows,  and  had 
again  appeared  for  her  comfort.  Again  and  again, 
sometimes  hoping,  sometimes  desponding,  but 
always  in  the  spirit  of  earnest  piety  and  a  beau- 
tiful trust  in  God,  she  welcomed  her  children  into 
the  world.  Years  rolled  on.  She  was  still  a 
neglected  wife,  but  she  was  no  longer  unhappy 
nor  lonely.  A  song  of  praise  to  the  Lord  was 
ever  on  her  lips.  Around  her  clustered  smiling 
9 


98  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

little  faces— soft  hands  smoothed  her  care-worn 
brow,  and  cooing,  dove-like  voices  cheered  her 
solitude,  and  called  her  "mother."  Six  fair 
sons  and  a  daughter  grew  up  around  her,  and  she 
had  the  consolation  of  knowing  that  distinguished 
honor  was  put  upon  her  by  Him  who  thus  made 
her  an  instrument  of  fulfilling  his  covenant  with 
her  husband.  So  far  as  we  know  Leah's  char- 
acter, it  was  extremely  lovely.  No  repining  or 
discontented  words,  no  rebellious  or  wilful  ex- 
pressions, fell  from  her  lips,  no  murmuring 
appears  to  have  been  in  her  heart.  Once  only 
the  hidden  conflict  appears,  when  her  sister  asks 
a  favor.  "Is  it  a  small  matter  that  thou  hast 
taken  away  my  husband  ?  And  wouldst  thou 
take  away  my  son's  mandrakes  also  ?  "  It  was 
a  revealing  of  deep  sorrows,  and  it  melted  even 
Rachel's  heart. 

Again  the  question  returns :  Did  Jacob  ever 
love  her  as  she  deserved  to  be  loved  ?  and  again 
we  must  answer,  we  do  not  know.  She  lived 
many  years,  fulfilling  the  duties  of  a  wife  and 
mother,  and  reposed  at  last  in  the  cave  of  Mach- 
pelah,  beside  Sarah  and  Rebekah,  with  whom  she 


LEAH   AND    RACHEL.  99 

has  doubtless  been  thousands  of  years  rejoicing  in 
the  perfect  blessedness  of  that  world  where  unre- 
quited love  is  unknown  —  where  the  soul,  with 
its  increasing  capacities  for  affection,  is  ever 
abundantly  filled  and  satisfied,  because  its  portion 
is  infinite.  "  God  only  knows  the  love  of  God," 
but  they  who  have  come  up  from  earth,  out  of 
much  tribulation,  and  have  washed  their  robes  and 
been  made  meet  for  heavenly  fellowship,  shall 
understand  the  blissful  mystery  of  that  union 
which  alone  is  dearer  and  more  intimate  than  the 
hallowed  unions  of  earth.  They  who  are  bound 
in  marriage  ties  here  "  are  of  twain  made  one 
flesh;  "  but  "he  that  is  joined  to  the  Lord  is 
one  spirit." 

How  gracious  and  condescending  to  human  in- 
firmities is  God  our  heavenly  Father  !  How  ready 
to  gratify  every  reasonable  desire  !  If  any  who 
read  these  pages-  are  conscious  of  earnest  and  un- 
satisfied wishes,  let  them,  not  in  Rachel's  fretful 
and  rebellious  spirit,  but  in  meek  and  patient 
trust,  with  thanksgiving,  make  their  request 
known  unto  him.  He  has  written,  "  The  desire 
of  the  righteous  shall  be  granted." 


100  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

If  any  neglected,  lonely  wife  reads  with  tear- 
ful eyes  the  story  of  Leah's  sorrow,  let  her  turn 
to  Leah's  Almighty  Friend  for  comfort,  and  learn 
to  say,  though  again  and  again  disappointed, 
"  Still  will  I  praise  the  Lord."  Let  her,  with 
childlike  submission,  receive  her  cup  at  his  hands, 
and  in  the  faithful  discharge  of  duty  wait  her 
appointed  time  and  lot.  She  shall  not  labor  and 
wait  in  vain.  If  her  heart  finds  no  place  of  re- 
pose in  his  who  should  cherish  and  love  her,  she 
shall  surely  understand  at  length  what  is  that 
perfect  peace  in  which  they  are  kept  whose 
minds  are  stayed  on  the  infinite  God.  If  he  has 
bestowed  on  her  the  inestimable  blessing  of  chil- 
dren, the  richest  solace  earth  affords  is  already 
hers  ;  let  her  not  indulge  gloomy  and  repining 
thoughts,  but  let  her  bend  all  her  energies  to  the 
task  of  training  immortal  minds,  who,  if  she  is 
faithful,  shall  rise  up  and  call  her  blessed,  and 
praise  God  for  her  care  and  instructions. 

In  Jacob's  family  were  two  other  mothers  of 
whom  we  have  not  spoken.  They  were  servants ; 
little  is  said  of  them  ;  yet  they  were  cared  for  by 
Jehovah,  and  their  children  were  sons  who  were 


LEAH    AND    RACHEL.  101 

at  length  heads  of  four  tribes  in  Israel.  Every 
mother,  however  humble  her  position  in  earthly 
society,  is  the  immediate  care  of  God,  and  is 
doing  his  work.  She  knows  not  what  mighty 
results  depend  on  her  fidelity  in  performing  her 
allotted  task.  Let  her  train  every  child  as  if  she 
heard  a  voice  from  heaven  saying,  Take  this  child 
and  nurse  it  for  me.  She  shall  not  lose  her  re- 
ward. 

9* 


JOCHEBED. 

THE  hours  of  day  are  fast  numbering  in  a  hum- 
ble home  in  Goshen,  a  house  which  has  gathered 
members  enough  to  render  it  ever  cheerful,  and 
garnered  sacred  ties  and  rich  affections  sufficient 
to  insure  the  greatest  earthly  bliss,  but  over  which 
the  hand  of  tyranny  has  cast  shadows  deeper 
and  more  dense  than  the  gloom  of  night  descend- 
ing around.  The  father,  with  aching  limbs  and 
a  heavy  heart,  has  returned  from  his  toil  under 
the  cruel  task-master,  whom  he,  like  his  com- 
panions, has  vainly  striven  to  satisfy,  and  with 
slow,  desponding  tread  enters  the  dwelling,  lays 
aside  his  outer  garments,  and  seats  himself 
moodily  in  the  nearest  corner.  Two  bright  faces, 
however,  come  to  welcome  him,  and  their  child- 
ish prattle  and  words  of  affection  soon  bring  com- 
fort to  his  heart,  and  drive  the  look  of  discontent 
from  his  brow,  and  he  joins  in  their  merry  glee, 
until  suddenly  he  is  attracted  by  the  pale  coun- 
tenance of  his  wife,  as  with  languid,  and  evi- 


JOCHEBED.  103 

dcntly  painful  step,  she  performs  the  slight  labors 
necessary  for  the  preparation  of  the  evening 
meal.  One  glance  is  sufficient  to  assure  him  that 
sterner  trials  than  any  yet  endured  await  them, 
and  the  time  draws  nigh.  Gently  he  puts  his 
children  from  him,  and  rises  to  give  her  such 
assistance  as  he  may.  No  words  are  spoken,  the 
meal  is  soon  taken,  the  little  ones  go  to  their 
quiet  rest,  needed  aid  is  stealthily  summoned, 
the  wife  and  mother  bows  herself  to  her  anguish. 
No  sound  escapes  her  lips  ;  a  fear  more  terrible 
than  any  throes  she  can  experience  shuts  her 
mouth  and  stifles  every  groan.  Even  the  feeble 
cry  which  announces  the  birth  of  her  son  brings 
no  joy,  no  relief,  only  a  greater  dread.  0,  hush 
him  !  do  not  let  him  cry  ;  father,  friends,  if  ye 
have  any  pity,  let  not  his  voice  be  heard.  Be- 
fore another  setting  sun,  the  little  delicate  form 
which  is  so  precious,  so  dear,  may  furnish  food 
for  the  cruel  crocodile.  Place  him  by  her  side, 
let  her  soothe  him  ;  she  best  understands  the  art. 
Alas,  what  terrors  now  daily  thicken  about  that 
mother's  path !  How  fails  her  heart  at  every 
approaching  tread.  How  earnestly  she  portrays 


104  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

to  the  sorrowing  Miriam  the  danger  of  betray- 
ing the  carefully-kept  secret.  How  constantly 
she  watches  lest  the  little  Aaron  should  with  lisp- 
ing tongue  tell  how  he  loves  his  baby  brother. 
How  wildly  she  hastens  at  the  first  sound  of  that 
baby  voice,  when  he  awakes  from  sleep  ;  how 
agonized  she  is  until  she  succeeds  in  soothing  and 
quieting  her  charge.  All  around  she  hears 
shrieks  and  struggles  and  despairing  groans  from 
her  sisters  in  affliction,  and  misses  one  and  an- 
other fair  infant  form  from  the  homes  they  had 
blessed,  and  she  folds  her  loved  one  closer  to  her 
aching  breast,  and  wonders  if  she  could  endure 
to  have  him  thus  torn  from  her.  She  suffers,  and 
yet  there  is  in  her  heart  a  confidence  that  all  will 
in  the  end  be  well.  Not  an  unfounded  hope,  not 
a  vague,  undefined  persuasion,  but  a  faith  in  an 
Almighty  Friend.  Her  husband  has  from  time 
to  time  spoken  words  of  cheer,  and  encouraged, 
by  reminding  her  of  Abraham's  God,  and  his 
promises  made  in  days  long  past  and  handed 
down  to  them.  They  know  that  a  great  and 
illustrious  person  is  to  be  born  of  Abraham's 
seed,  and  may  not  their  son  be  one  of  those 


JOCHEBED.  105 

through  whom  he  shall  descend  1  Jochebed 
looks  upon  the  wondrous  beauty  of  her  babe, 
his  strangely  noble  mien,  and,  sent  by  Him  who 
knows  all  the  avenues  to  the  human  heart,  come 
comfort  and  strength,  and  she  gives  herself  to 
new  efforts  for  the  preservation  of  the  child. 

Three  weary,  leaden-footed  months  have 
passed.  Her  boy  has  gained  in  strength  and 
comeliness,  and  the  mother's  heart  clings  to  him 
with  an  intensity  of  love  proportioned  to  the 
anxiety  she  has  felt,  and  the  high  hopes  she  sus- 
tains for  him.  But  the  time  has  come  when  she 
can  conceal  him  no  longer.  The  vigilance  of 
their  ruthless  enemies  is  becoming  too  keen,  and 
their  strict  search  will  soon  inevitably  discover 
her  treasure.  Who  can  imagine  her  distress,  as 
the  conviction  forces  itself  upon  her  ?  In  her 
extremity  she  again  betakes  herself  to  the  prom- 
ises and  love  of  Jehovah,  and  reassures  her 
fainting  heart.  Suddenly,  in  the  hour  of  medi- 
tation and  of  deep  darkness,  a  peradventure  is 
suggested  to  her  mind. 

Behold  her  now  busily  engaged  in  what  is  evi- 
dently a  most  absorbing  work.     From  the  banks 


106  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

of  the  Nile  she  has  procured  the  "  thirsty  papy- 
rus," and  the  necessary  pitch  is  at  hand.  "With 
skilful  art  she  constructs  a  basket-like  cradle. 
Watch  the  variations  of  her  countenance  as  with 
the  greatest  care  she  secures  every  chink  and 
seam,  and  again  and  again  examines,  to  be  sure 
that  it  is  perfectly  impervious  to  water,  and  suffi- 
ciently strong  for  its  purpose.  Anxiety,  sadness, 
desperation  are  there,  and  then  the  lighting  up 
of  some  stern  resolve,  and  then  a  gleam  of  hope, 
a  faint  courage;  then,  again,  the  workings  of 
almost  unendurable  grief  and  torturing  fear. 
Anon,  the  brow  is  calmed,  and  the  compressed 
lips  relax,  and  holy,  sublime  faith  gains  the 
mastery  over  all  the  conflicting  feelings  called 
forth  by  her  strange  employment.  Her  task  is 
ended !  all  that  maternal  tenderness  could  dic- 
tate is  done  to  render  the  frail  vessel  com- 
fortable ;  and,  taking  her  babe  fondly  in  her 
arms,  with  one  hasty  caress  she  lays  him,  in  his 
rosy  sleep,  within  the  little  ark.  Upon  her  emo- 
tions, as  she  carries  him  from  her  home,  and 
takes  her  last  look  on  his  cherub  face,  and  leaves 
him  among  the  weeds  at  the  water's  edge,  we 


JOCHEBED.  107 

cannot  dwell.  A  confidence  in  God  so  noble  as 
to  be  remembered  and  recorded  centuries  after, 
by  an  inspired  apostle,  and  to  place  her,  in  the 
estimate  of  him  who  dictated  the  sacred  page, 
among  those  "  of  whom  the  world  was  not 
worthy,"  sustained  her  in  that  fearful  hour. 
She  has  used  all  the  means  within  her  reach  to 
save  him,  and  leaving  the  little  Miriam  to  watch 
his  fate  at  a  distance,  she  returns  to  her  desolate 

home. 

*  *  *  *  * 

That  night  found  Jochebed  no  longer  sorrow- 
ing and  fearful,  but  a  blessed  and  happy  mother, 
far  happier  than  she  had  ever  before  been.  No 
harrowing  anxieties  now,  no  trembling  lest  the 
cry  of  pain  or  crowing  laugh  of  joy  should  be- 
tray her  child.  No  caution,  no  fear.  Let  who 
will  step  hastily  by  her  dwelling,  her  cheek  need 
not  blanch.  She  is  doing  the  bidding  of  a  prin- 
cess, and  receiving  wages  at  her  hand  for  nurs- 
ing that  fair  boy.  Well  may  the  stern-featured, 
stony-hearted  men  who  delight  in  deeds  of  blood, 
stand  awed  and  subdued  before  the  rare  beauty 
of  that  baby  face,  and  wonder  at  the  intelligence 


108  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

and  dignity  which  are  stamped  on  that  childish 
brow.  Not  in  vain  is  he  thus  endowed  by  his 
Maker.  They  harm  him  not.  The  mother  need 
not  tremble.  A  peace  unknown  before  descends 
on  the  little  household.  Oppression  still  grinds. 
The  father  still  toils.  All  around  is  suffering  and 
war ;  but  under  that  humble  roof  Jehovah  is 
praised  with  a  gladness  which  must  be  felt  to  be 
expressed. 

No  words  of  praise  has  Moses  bestowed  on  his 
mother,  nor  does  a  single  line  inform  us  of  the 
nature  of  her  instructions  to  him  in  the  days 
when  he  was  once  more  all  her  own,  before  "  she 
brought  him  unto  Pharaoh's  daughter  and  he  be- 
came her  son."  But  every  trait  of  that  noble 
character  which  fitted  him  for  the  station  he 
afterwards  filled  ;  the  meekness  which  made  him 
the  friend  of  God,  with  whom  he  spoke  face  to 
face,  as  he  has  never  to  any  other  being  of  mor- 
tal birth ;  the  faith  which  refused  the  wealth  and 
honors  and  titles  of  Egypt,  and  preferred  afflic- 
tion and  contempt  with  the  people  of  God  ;  the 
self-renunciation,  and  devotion  to  the  glory  of 
Jehovah,  which  led  him  to  plead  for  the  stiff- 


JOCHEBED.  109 

necked  children  of  Israel  when  he  would  destroy 
them  and  make  of  his  faithful  servant  a  great 
nation  ;  the  dauntless  courage,  the  unwavering 
rectitude,  —  all  bear  witness  to  the  instructions 
of  his  early  years,  which  "the  learning  of  the 
Egyptians,"  and  the  fascinations  of  a  court,  had 
no  power  to  obliterate.  The  mother  of  Israel's 
great  law-giver  needs  no  more  enduring  monu- 
ment than  the  lofty  virtues  of  her  son. 

Faith  !  my  dear  friends,  such  faith  as  they  ex- 
ercised whose  history  the  Bible  records,  0  that 
it  might  animate  us  !  We  are  not  called  to  lay 
our  children  on  the  altar  of  sacrifice,  nor  leave 
them  to  be  whelmed  in  the  waters  of  the  Nile  ; 
but  every  mother  has  trials  to  pass  through,  and 
duties  to  perform,  which  require  the  "same  faith 
that  Abraham  and  Jochebed  possessed,  if  she 
wishes  to  see  her  children  standing  at  last  fault- 
less before  the  throne.  The  more  we  study  and 
come  to  understand  the  wonders  God  has  wrought 
for  those  who  have  trusted  in  him,  the  more 
earnestly  our  prayer  ascends,  "  Lord,  increase 
our  faith." 

10 


THE  MOTHERS  OF  ISRAEL  IN  EGYPT. 

"  A  thousand  years  in  thy  sight  are  but  as  yesterday  when  it  is 
passed,  and  as  a  watch  in  the  night." 

IT  often  appears  to  us,  as  we  study  the  sacred 
page,  and  as  we  contemplate  the  movements  of 
the  kingdom  of  grace,  in  these  latter  days,  that 
the  work  of  God  in  the  salvation  of  the  race  of 
man  makes  slow  and  difficult  progress,  and  we 
wonder  at  the  tardiness  and  seeming  want  of 
success  of  any  project  which  has  God  for  its 
author  and  executor.  But  we  forget  that, 
although  he  is  God  all-sufficient,  and  can  with- 
out doubt  perform  the  whole  good  pleasure  of 
his  will  —  though  all  events  are  under  his  con- 
trol, it  nevertheless  pleases  him  to  work  by  means 
and  instrumentalities.  Seldom  does  he  "  speak 
and  it  is  done,"  as  when  the  light  first  shone  on 
earth.  Ordinarily,  if  he  will  accomplish  any- 
thing in  the  material  world,  he  brings  it  about  in 
the  order  of  its  natural  development.  If  his 
dealings  are  with  men  as  moral  beings,  he  works 


THE   MOTHERS    OF    ISRAEL   IN    EGYPT.          Ill 

according  to  the  laws  of  mind  which  himself 
ordained. 

It  was  now  more  than  four  hundred  years  since 
God  called  Abraham  from  Ur  of  the  Chaldees, 
and  made  the  covenant  that  through  him  and  his 
descendants  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  should  be 
blessed,  and  since  he  first  revealed  his  purpose  of 
acquainting  the  world  with  his  own  glorious  char- 
acter and  will.  Abraham,  and  Isaac,  and  Jacob, 
had  long  slept  in  the  cave  of  Machpelah.  Where 
were  their  descendants,  and  in  what  circum- 
stances ?  Had  the  covenant  been  in  any  partic- 
ular fulfilled  ?  Was  the  gracious  purpose  fast 
being  accomplished  ?  Not  to  human  view.  The 
children  of  the  patriarchs,  far  from  dwelling  in 
the  land  of  Canaan,  the  blessed  and  favored  peo- 
ple of  Jehovah,  were  a  nation  of  slaves,  debased 
by  the  most  abject  and  cruel  bondage,  ignorant 
of  even  the  name  of  their  father's  God  ;  though 
remembering  him  as  the  God  of  Abraham,  yet 
comprehending  nothing  concerning  him  save  the 
bare  fact  of  his  existence  among  many  other 
deities  ;  and  having  a  vague,  uncertain  belief  in 
the  traditionary  promise  of  his  appearance  in 


112  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

their  behalf,  and  their  ultimate  inheritance  of  the 
country  of  Canaan.  Some,  indeed,  among  them 
seem  to  have  had  clearer  ideas  and  a  more  intel- 
ligent faith,  but  the  mass  of  the  people  were 
buried  in  the  depths  of  ignorance  and  misery. 
Around  them  the  Egyptians,  and  all  the  other 
dwellers  upon  earth,  were  given  up  to  the  gross- 
est idolatry.  What  foothold  had  the  kingdom  of 
grace  as  yet  gained  in  the  world  ?  What  had 
the  Almighty  been  doing  to  advance  it  during 
these  rolling  centuries  ? 

If  we  ask  reverently,  we  ask  well,  and  perhaps 
a  satisfactory  answer  may  be  given.  In  com- 
mencing and  carrying  forward  the  scheme  of 
man's  redemption,  a  mighty  work  had  first  to  be 
done,  which  we  seldom  think  of,  and  little  appre- 
ciate, —  a  work  preliminary  to  the  first  revelation 
of  himself  among  the  nations.  It  was  not  merely 
with  man's  ignorance  of  the  only  living,  and  true, 
and  holy  God,  which  grace  had  to  contend,  but 
with  a  state  of  mind  and  heart  so  utterly  debased 
as  to  be  incapable  of  receiving  or  comprehending 
for  a  moment  any  idea  of  such  a  Being.  A  dense 
and  almost  impenetrable  darkness  brooded  over 


THE   MOTEIERS    OF    ISRAEL    IN   EGYPT.          113 

the  earth.  But  this  was  not  all ;  the  visual 
organs,  long  accustomed  only  to  darkness,  were 
weakened  and  destroyed.  Before  light  could 
benefit,  the  blind  must  be  healed.  Before  God 
could  reveal  himself  to  men,  their  sunken,  sen- 
sual souls  must  be  elevated  and  purified,  and 
made  capable  of  understanding  the  revelation. 
This  was  a  slow  and  tedious  process.  For  its 
furtherance  he  must  first  train  and  educate,  from 
the  commencement  of  their  existence,  a  people, 
who,  being  themselves  thus  elevated  and  enabled 
to  receive  the  truths  he  would  communicate, 
should  hold  them  up,  from  generation  to  gener- 
ation, before  their  benighted  fellow-men,  and 
win  all  at  length  to  know  and  obey. 

This,  then,  was  the  work  which  Jehovah 
accomplished  during  the  long  years  which  seem 
so  fruitless  to  us.  He  had  been  training  and 
preparing  this  peculiar  people.  Understanding 
well  man's  entire  nature,  and  what  means  to  use 
wherewith  to  meet  his  ends,  he  had  been  steadily 
employing  those  means,  until  the  destined  result 
was  at  last  attained.  In  the  Hebrew  people,  a 
race  singularly  differing  from  all  the  other  inhab- 
10* 


114  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

itants  of  earth,  whom  he  had  bound  to  each  other 
by  a  common  descent  and  common  sufferings,  and 
whom  he  would  bind  to  himself  by  ties  of  the 
most  ardent  gratitude  and  love  ;  who  had  never 
worshipped  idols,  and  who,  though  entirely  igno- 
rant of  his  true  nature,  were  yet  in  a  state  to 
receive  and  reverence  the  God  who  would  deliver 
them  from  their  bitter  afflictions;  in  this  race, 
which  he  had  thus  brought  down  from  his  ser- 
vant Abraham,  and  prepared  for  his  purpose  by 
"  the  process  slow  of  years,"  he  had  the  instru- 
mentality which  he  needed,  and  without  which 
he  could  not  carry  forward  his  gracious  work. 

But  some  will  ask,  "What  has  all  this  to  do 
with  the  Mothers  of  Israel?"  Much.  Among 
the  instruments  which  he  employs,  God  never 
forgets  nor  undervalues  those  who  usher  into 
being,  and  to  whom  are  committed,  by  his  own 
ordination,  the  most  susceptible  years  of  all  the 
men  who  live.  It  was  through  these  mothers 
that  the  keenest  pangs  of  the  terrible  discipline, 
through  which  the  nation  passed,  was  felt.  Fa- 
thers, and  husbands,  and  brothers,  were  not  so 
deeply  outraged,  so  heart-stricken,  by  any  toil 


THE   MOTHERS    OF    ISRAEL   IN   EGYPT.          1]5 

or  hardship  imposed  on  themselves,  as  by  the 
cruel  mandate  which  so  crushed  their  daughters, 
wives,  and  sisters.  Among  their  draughts  of 
gall  and  wormwood  none  were  so  bitter  as  that 
which  brought  groans  of  anguish  from  every  wife 
who  had  the  prospect  of  becoming  a  mother, 
turned  into  a  curse  what  they  had  ever  esteemed 
the  richest  of  blessings,  and  made  the  feeble  cry 
of  infancy  —  always  before  a  note  of  joy  —  the 
most  distressing  sound  that  could  fall  on  parental 
ears. 

And  when  the  day  of  deliverance  came,  whose 
joy  so  great,  whose  gratitude  to  God  so  intense, 
whose  obligations  so  binding,  as  those  of  the 
mothers  of  the  nation  ?  What  instruments  could 
be  found  so  effective  as  they  would  prove  in  the 
work  of  making  known  the  glory  of  their  De- 
liverer ?  In  what  strange  scenes  had  they  learned 
his  might  and  goodness  !  One  by  one  they  had 
seen  the  idols  of  Egypt  overwhelmed  in  ruin  and 
shown  to  be  worthless*  and  their  awe  and  admi- 
ration were  constantly  increased.  But  when  the 
hour  of  retribution  came,  when  Almighty  ven- 
geance repaid  into  the  bosom  of  every  Egyptian 


116  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

family  the  thrilling  anguish  which  his  people  had 
suffered,  when  he  stood  forth  to  shield  them,  and 
destroy  their  foes,  their  awe  and  admiration 
turned  to  love  and  high  devotion.  In  permit- 
ting them  to  be  so  afflicted,  in  avenging  their 
wrongs,  and  in  the  gratitude  he  thus  called  forth, 
the  far-seeing,  all- wise  Jehovah  laid  a  foundation 
for  the  character  of  every  Hebrew  child,  and  of 
the  whole  Hebrew  nation,  through  all  coming 
ages  ;  a  character  most  marked  and  peculiar, 
and  retaining  its  distinctive  features  under  all 
circumstances  and  in  every  clime.  From  that 
day  to  this,  every  Israelitish  mother,  in  commem- 
oration of  those  scenes  in  Egypt,  consecrates  her 
first-born  child  to  the  God  of  their  deliverance, 
and  through  all  their  generations  the  command 
to  rehearse  in  the  ears  of  their  family  his 
mighty  deeds,  has  been  obeyed,  and  has  accom- 
plished what  he  designed.  Among  his  first 
broken  sentences  the  Hebrew  child  utters  the 
solemn  truth,  first  fully  understood  in  Egypt, 
"Hear,  0  Israel,  the  Lord  our  God  is  one  Lord," 
and  from  his  tender  infancy  he  hears  constantly 
repeated,  —  "By  strength  of  hand  the  Lord 


THE    MOTHERS    OP    ISRAEL   IN   EGYPT.          117 

brought  us  out  from  Egypt,  from  the  house  of 
bondage.  And  it  came  to  pass,  when  Pharaoh 
would  hardly  let  us  go,  that  the  Lord  slew  all 
the  first-born  in  the  land  of  Egypt,  both  the 
first-born  of  man  and  the  first-born  of  beasts  ; 
therefore  I  sacrifice  to  the  Lord  all  that  openeth 
the  matrix." 

Thus  have  the  griefs  of  those  mothers  whose 
children  were  given  to  the  devouring  crocodile, 
and  the  groans  of  their  oppressors,  echoed  upon 
all  the  shores  of  time,  even  to  these  distant  days, 
ever  bringing  with  them  to  the  ear  solemn  and 
awful  revelations  of  the  power  and  avenging  jus- 
tice of  Israel's  God.  The  unfolding  ages  have 
shown  him  to  us,  as  we  have  been  by  degrees 
prepared  to  receive  him,  not  merely  manifested 
in  these  sublime  attributes,  but  in  the  person  of 
Jesus  Christ,  our  redeeming  Saviour,  our  Advo- 
cate and  Friend,  rejoicing  to  own  the  title  which 
the  pious  soul  delights  to  give  him,  and  which 
looks  back  through  the  long  vista  of  rites  and 
ceremonies  to  that  awful  night  when  the  hope  of 
Egypt  fell,  and  the  chosen  people  were  spared  — 
"  The  first-born  among  many  brethren." 


118  THE    MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

Nor  shall  these  reverberations  cease.  Through 
coming  years,  and  amid  the  crash  of  earth's  dis- 
solution, shall  be  heard  from  the  eternal  hills  the 
immortal  song  of  the  church  of  the  first-born 
which  are  written  in  heaven,  chanting  of  deliv- 
erance from  a  worse  than  Egyptian  bondage,  and 
of  a  more  glorious  Passover  than  any  celebrated 
by  Jewish  service. 

The  mothers  of  this  favored  land  may  learn  a 
deeply  interesting  lesson  from  this  page  of  the 
divine  word,  and  especially  from  that  command 
of  God  with  regard  to  the  instruction  of  every 
Hebrew  child.  Kehearse  in  the  ears  of  your 
child,  Christian  mother,  the  story  of  His  mighty 
deeds.  From  day  to  day  store  the  young  mind 
with  fresh  knowledge  of  the  wonders  God  hath 
wrought.  Call  forth  his  childish  admiration ; 
teach  him  to  bow  with  reverence  before  the  great 
name  of  his  Maker.  But,  more  than  all,  tell  him 
the  story  of  redeeming  love.  Let  the  life  of  the 
infant  Saviour,  the  story  of  the  boy  of  twelve 
years  in  the  temple,  the  love  of  the  man  Christ 
Jesus,  be  repeated  in  his  ears,  until  they  are 
familiar  as  household  words.  Remember  the  Jew- 


THE   MOTHERS    OF    ISRAEL    IN   EGYPT.          119 

ish  mothers,  and  the  result  of  their  unwearied 
teachings.  With  them,  nothing  is  second  to  this 
command  of  their  God,  and  their  children  never 
lose  the  impress  of  maternal  instructions.  Their 
strangely  uniform  character  is  a  powerful  com- 
ment on  the  wisdom  of  Jehovah  in  directing  them 
to  be  thus  taught. 


ZIPPORAH. 

IN  the  mountainous  and  wild  region  which  lies 
around  Horeb  and  Sinai,  were  found,  in  the  days 
of  that  Pharaoh  whose  court  was  the  home  of 
Israel's  law-giver,  many  descendants  of  Abraham, 
children  of  one  of  the  sons  which  Keturah  bore 
him  in  his  old  age.  We  know  little  of  them  ; 
but  here  and  there  on  the  sacred  page  they  are 
mentioned,  and  we  gain  brief  glimpses  of  their 
character  and  of  the  estimation  in  which  they 
were  held  by  Jehovah.  Like  all  the  other  na- 
tions of  the  time,  they  were  mostly  idolaters, 
against  whom  he  threatened  vengeance  for  their 
inventions  and  abominations.  But  among  them 
were  found  some  families  who  evidently  retained 
a  knowledge  of  Abraham's  God,  and  who,  al- 
though they  did  not  offer  him  a  pure  worship, 
"seem,  nevertheless,  to  have  been  imbued  with 
sentiments  of  piety,  and  intended  to  serve  him 
so  far  as  they  were  acquainted  with  his  character 
and  requirements."  For  these,  from  time  to 


ZIPPORAH.  121 

time,  a  consecrated  priest  stood  before  the  altar, 
offering  sacrifices  which  were,  doubtless,  accepted 
in  heaven,  since  sincerity  prompted  and  the 
spirit  of  true  obedience  animated  the  worshippers. 
In  the  family  of  this  priest,  who  was  also  a 
prince  among  his  people,  a  stranger  was  at  one 
time  found,  who  had  suddenly  appeared  in  Mid- 
ian,  and,  for  a  slight  kindness  shown  to  certain 
members  of  the  household,  had  been  invited  to 
sojourn  with  them,  and  make  one  of  the  domestic 
circle.  He  was  an  object  of  daily  increasing 
interest  to  all  around  him.  Whence  had  he 
come  ?  Why  was  he  thus  apparently  friendless 
and  alone  ?  Wherefore  was  his  countenance  sad 
and  thoughtful,  and  his  heart  evidently  so  far 
away  from  present  scenes  ?  Seven  sisters  dwelt 
beneath  the  paternal  roof,  and  we  can  readily 
imagine  the  eagerness  with  which  they  discussed 
these  questions  and  watched  the  many  interviews 
between  him  and  their  father,  which  seemed  of  a 
most  important  character.  The  result  was  not 
long  kept  from  them.  Moses  was  henceforth  to 
perform  what  had  been  their  daily  task,  and,  as 
his  reward,  was  to  sustain  the  relation  of  son, 
11 


122  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

husband,  and  brother,  in  the  little  circle.  Zip- 
porah,  whether  willingly  or  reluctantly  we  are 
not  told,  became  the  wife  of  the  silent  man  ;  nor 
has  he,  in  the  record  which  he  has  left,  given  us 
any  account  of  those  forty  years  of  quiet  domes- 
tic life,  which  he  spent  watching  his  flocks  amid 
the  mountain  solitudes,  and  in  intercourse  with 
the  "  priest  of  Midian,"  and  during  which, 
taught  of  that  God  who  chose  him  before  all 
other  men,  as  a  familiar  friend,  he  was  daily 
learning  lessons  of  mighty  wisdom,  and  gaining 
that  surpassing  excellence  of  character  which  has 
made  his  name  immortal.  Was  the  wife  whom 
he  had  chosen,  the  worthy  daughter  of  her  father 
and  a  fit  companion  for  such  a  husband  1  Did 
they  take  sweet  counsel  together,  and  could  she 
share  his  noble  thoughts  ?  Did  she  listen  with 
tearful  eyes  to  his  account  of  the  woes  of  his  peo- 
ple, and  rejoice  with  him  in  view  of  the  glorious 
scenes  of  deliverance  which  he  anticipated  ?  Did 
she  appreciate  the  sublime  beauties  which  so 
captivated  and  enthralled  his  soul  as  he  pored 
over  the  pages  of  that  wonderful  poem  which 
portrays  the  afflictions  of  the  man  of  Uz  ?  Did 


ZIPPORAH.  123 

she  worship  and  love  the  God  of  their  common 
father  with  the  same  humility  and  faith  ?  We 
cannot  answer  one  of  the  many  questions  which 
arise  in  our  minds.  All  we  know  is,  that  Zippo- 
rah  was  Moses'  wife,  and  the  mother  of  Moses' 
sons,  and  we  feel  that  hers  was  a  favored  lot,  and 
involuntarily  yield  her  the  respect  which  her  sta- 
tion would  demand. 

Silently  the  appointed  years  sped.  The  great 
historian  found  in  them  no  event,  bearing  upon 
the  interests  of  the  kingdom  of  God,  worthy  of 
note,  and  our  gleanings  are  small.  At  their  close 
he  was  again  found  in  close  consultation  with 
Jethro,  and  with  his  consent,  and  in  obedience 
to  the  divine  mandate,  the  exile  once  more 
turned  his  steps  toward  the  land  of  his  birth. 
Zipporah  and  their  sons,  with  asses  and  attend- 
ants, accompanied  him,  and  their  journey  was 
apparently  prosperous  until  near  its  close,  when 
a  strange  and  startling  providence  arrested  them.* 
An  alarming  disease  seized  upon  Gershom,  the 
eldest  son,  and  at  the  same  time  intimations  not 

*  The  construction  put  upon  this  passage   is   taken   from  Bush's 
Commentary  on  Exodus,  which  see. 


124  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

to  be  mistaken  convinced  his  parents  that  it  was 
sent  in  token  of  divine  displeasure  for  long-neg- 
lected duty.  God's  eye  is  ever  on  his  children, 
and  though  he  is  forbearing,  he  will  not  forever 
spare  the  chastening  rod,  if  they  live  on  in  diso- 
bedience to  his  commands.  Both  Moses  and  Zip- 
porah  knew  what  was  the  appointed  seal  of  God's 
covenant  with  Abraham,  and  we  cannot  under- 
stand why  they  so  long  deferred  including  their 
children  in  that  covenant.  We  do  not  know  how 
many  times  conscience  may  have  rebuked  them, 
nor  what  privileges  they  forfeited,  but  we  are 
sure  they  were  not  blessed  as  faithful  servants 
are.  Now  there  was  no  delaying  longer.  The 
proof  of  God's  disapprobation  was  not  to  be  mis- 
taken, and  they  could  not  hesitate  if  they  would 
preserve  the  life  of  their  child.  "  There  is, 
doubtless,  something  abhorrent  to  our  ideas  of 
propriety  in  a  mother's  performing  this  rite  upon 
an  adult  son,"  for  Gershom  was  at  this  time, 
probably,  more  than  thirty  years  of  age ;  but  we 
must  ever  bear  in  mind  that  she  was  complying 
with  "  a  divine  requisition,"  and  among  a  people, 
and  in  a  state  of  society,  whose  sentiments  and 


ZIPPORAII.  125 

usages  were  very  different  from  ours.  Her  duty 
performed,  she  solemnly  admonished  Gershom 
that  he  was  now  espoused  to  the  Lord  by  this 
significant  rite,  and  that  this  bloody  seal  should 
ever  remind  him  of  the  sacred  relation.  The 
very  moment  neglected  obligations  are  cheerfully 
assumed,  that  moment  does  God  smile  upon  his 
child.  He  accepts,  and  upbraids  not.  The  frown 
which  but  now  threatened  precious  life  has  fled, 
and  his  children  rejoice  in  new  found  peace,  and 
in  that  peculiar  outflowing  of  tenderness,  humil- 
ity and  love,  which  ever  follows  upon  repentance, 
reparation  and  forgiveness. 

For  some  reason,  to  us  wholly  inexplicable, 
Moses  seems  to  have  sent  his  family  back  to  the 
home  which  they  had  just  left,  before  reaching 
Egypt,  and  they  resided  with  Jethro  until  the 
tribes,  having  passed  through  all  the  tribulations 
which  had  been  prophesied  for  them,  made  their 
triumphant  exodus  from  the  land  of  bondage  and 
encamped  at  the  foot  of  Sinai.  Jethro,  who 
seems  to  have  taken  a  deep  interest  in  the  mis- 
sion of  Moses,  immediately  on  hearing  of  their 
arrival,  took  his  daughter  and  her  sons  to  rejoin 
11* 


126  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

the  husband  and  father  from  whom  they  had 
been  long  separated.  Touching  and  delightful 
was  the  reunion,  and  we  love  to  linger  over  the 
few  days  which  Zipporah's  father  spent  with  her, 
in  this  their  last  interview  on  earth.  The  aged 
man  listened  with  wonder  and  joy  to  the  recital 
of  all  that  Jehovah  had  wrought.  He  found  his 
faith  confirmed  and  his  soul  strengthened,  and 
doubtless  felt  it  a  great  privilege  to  leave  his 
child  among  those  who  were  so  evidently  under 
the  protection  of  the  Almighty,  and  before  whom 
he  constantly  walked  in  the  pillar  of  fire  and 
cloud.  With  a  father's  care  and  love,  he  gave 
such  counsel  as  he  saw  his  son-in-law  needed, 
and  after  uniting  with  the  elders  in  solemn  sacri- 
fice and  worship,  in  which  he  assumed  his  priestly 
office,  he  departed  to  his  own  land.  We  seem 
to  see  Zipporah,  as  with  tearful  eyes  she  watched 
his  retreating  footsteps,  and  felt  that  she  should 
•see  her  father's  face  no  more  on  earth.  Not 
without  fearful  struggles  are  the  ties  which  bind 
a  daughter  to  her  parents  sundered,  though  as  a 
wife  she  cleaves  to  her  husband,  and  strives,  for 
his  sake,  to  repress  her  tears  and  hide  the  an- 


ZIPPORAH.  127 

guish  she  cannot  subdue.  One  comfort,  how- 
ever, remained  to  Zipporah.  Soothingly  fell  on 
her  ear  the  invitation  of  her  husband  to  her 
brother,  the  companion  of  her  childhood  :  "  We 
are  journeying  unto  the  place  of  which  the  Lord 
said,  I  will  give  it  you  :  come  thou  with  us  and 
we  will  do  thee  good  ;  for  the  Lord  hath  spoken 
good  concerning  Israel."  Deprecatingly  she 
doubtless  looked  upon  him,  as  he  answered,  "  I 
will  not  go,  but  I  will  depart  to  mine  own  land, 
and  to  my  kindred;"  and  united  in  the  urgent 
entreaty,  "  Leave  us  not,  I  pray  thee  ;  foras- 
much as  thou  knowest  how  we  are  to  encamp  in 
the  wilderness,  and  thou  mayest  be  to  us  instead 
of  eyes."  Heartfelt  joy  shone  in  her  counte- 
nance as  he  acquiesced  and  made  preparation  to 
accompany  them  ;  and  we  are  glad  for  her,  and 
feel  that  with  her  husband  and  brother  near,  on 
whom  to  lean,  she  must  have  been  cheered,  and 
the  bitterness  of  her  final  separation  from  home 
alleviated. 

Feelings  of  personal  joy  or  grief  were  soon, 
however,  banished  from  her  mind  by  the  mighty 
wonders  which  were  displayed  in  the  desert,  and 


128  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

by  the  absorbing  scenes  which  transpired  while 
Israel  received  the  law,  and  were  prepared  to 
pursue  their  way  to  Canaan.  Of  her  after  his- 
tory we  gather  little,  and  the  time  of  her  death 
is  not  mentioned.  One  affliction,  not  uncommon 
in  this  evil  world,  fell  to  her  lot.  Her  husband's 
family  were  unfriendly  and  unkind  to  her,  and 
she  was  the  occasion  of  their  reproach  and  ridi- 
cule. But  she  was  happy  in  being  the  wife  of 
one  meek  above  all  the  men  upon  the  earth,  and 
she  was  vindicated  by  God  himself.  What  were 
her  hopes  in  prospect  of  seeing  the  promised 
land,  in  common  with  all  the  nation,  or  whether 
she  lived  to  hear  the  terrible  command  of  God  to 
Moses,  "  Avenge  Israel  of  the  Midianites,"  we 
do  not  know.  The  slaughter  of  her  people  may 
have  caused  her  many  a  pang,  and  she  probably 
went  to  her  rest  long  before  the  weary  forty 
years  were  ended.  She  has  a  name  and  a  place 
on  the  sacred  page,  she  was  a  wife  and  mother, 
and,  though  hers  is  a  brief  memorial,  yet,  if 
we  have  been  led  to  study  the  word  of  God  more 
earnestly,  because  we  would  fain  learn  more  con- 
cerning her,  that  memorial  is  not  useless. 


'THE   MOTHERS   OP   ISRAEL   AT   HOREB. 

WE  beg  those  of  our  readers  who  have  had  the 
patience  to  follow  us  thus  far  in  our  study,  now 
to  open  their  Bibles,  unsatisfied  with  the  meagre 
thoughts  which  we  are  able  to  furnish,  and,  earn- 
estly invoking  the  aid  of  that  Spirit  who  indited 
the  sacred  pages,  bend  diligently  to  the  work  of 
ascertaining  the  real  interest  which  we  and  all 
the  mothers  of  earth  have  in  the  scenes  which 
transpired  at  the  foot  of  Horeb's  holy  mount.  To 
the  instructions  there  uttered,  the  mighty  ones  of 
every  age,  the  founders  of  empires,  statesmen, 
lawgivers,  philanthropists,  patriots,  and  wise  men, 
have  sought  for  their  noblest  conceptions,  and 
their  most  beneficent  regulations,  and  it  would  be 
impossible  to  estimate  the  influence  of  those 
instructions  upon  all  the  after  history  of  the 
world.  But  if  the  Almighty  there  revealed  him- 
self as  the  God  of  kingdoms,  the  all-wise  and 
infinitely  good  Ruler  of  men  in  a  national  capac- 
ity, not  less  did  he  make  himself  known  as  the 


130  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

God  of  the  family ;  and  his  will  there  made 
known,  regulating  the  mutual  relations  of  parents 
and  children,  has  been  at  once  the  foundation 
and  bulwark  of  all  that  has  been  excellent  or 
trustworthy  in  family  government  from  that  day 
to  this. 

It  is  impossible,  in  the  brief  space  allotted  to 
us,  that  we  should  begin  to  give  any  adequate 
view  of  the  subject  which  here  opens  before  us,  or 
follow  out  fully  ci  single  one  of  the  many  trains 
of  thought  to  which  it  gives  rise. 

At  Horeb,  Jehovah,  amid  fire  and  smoke,  and 
in  that  voice  which  so  filled  with  terror  all  that 
heard,  first  inculcated  the  duty  of  filial  piety  on 
all  the  future  generations  of  men.  Filial  piety  ! 
how  much  it  implies.  It  stands  at  the  head  of 
the  duties  enjoined  from  man  to  man.  It  comes 
next  in  order  to  those  which  man  owes  to  his 
Maker.  It  inculcates  on  the  part  of  children 
toward  their  parents  feelings  akin  to  those  which 
he  has  required  toward  himself,  and  far  surpassing 
any  which  he  demands  toward  any  other  human 
being.  It  speaks  of  reverence,  of  a  love  supe- 
rior to  ordinary  affection,  of  unqualified  submis- 


THE   MOTHERS    OF   ISRAEL   AT   HOREB.         131 

sion  and  obedience.  "  Honor  thy  father  and  thy 
mother"  is  the  solemn  command,  and  the  com- 
ments which/  infinite  wisdom  has  made  on  it, 
scattered  up  and  down  on  the  pages  of  inspira- 
tion, throw  light  on  its  length  and  breadth,  and 
on  the  heinous  nature  of  the  sin  which  is  com- 
mitted in  its  infringement.  "  Ye  shall  fear  every 
man  his  mother  and  his  father,  and  keep  my 
Sabbaths  ;  I  am  the  Lord."  In  the  Jewish  law, 
a  man  who  smote  his  neighbor  must  be  smitten 
in  return  ;  but  "  he  that  smiteth  father  or  mother 
shall  be  surely  put  to  death."  "  He  that  curseth," 
or,  as  it  more  exactly  reads,  "  he  that  disparages 
or  speaks  lightly  of  his  parents,  or  uses  contempt- 
uous language  to  them,  shall  surely  be  put  to 
death."  "  If  a  man  have  a  stubborn  and  rebellious 
son,  which  will  not  obey  the  voice  of  his  father  or 
the  voice  of  his  mother,  and  who,  when  the/have 
chastised  him,  will  not  hearken  unto  them,  then 
shall  his  father  and  his  mother  lay  hold  of  him  and 
bring  him  to  the  elders  of  the  city,  and  unto  the 
gate  of  his  place.  And  they  shall  say  unto  the 
elders  of  the  city,  This  our  son  is  stubborn  and  re- 
bellious ;  he  will  not  obey  our  voice.  And  all  the 


132  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

men  of  the  city  shall  stone  him  with  stones  that 
he  die  ;  so  shalt  thou  put  away  evil  from  among 
you,  that  all  Israel  shall  hear  and  fear." 
*  Still  more  fearful  is  the  practical  commentary 
upon  this  solemn  command,  given  in  Ezekiel  22  : 
7,  when  Jehovah,  in  enumerating  the  crying  sins 
which  demanded  his  vengeance  on  the  people, 
and  brought  upon  them  the  terrible  calamities  of 
long  captivity,  says,  "In  thee  have  they  set  light 
by  father  and  mother." 

But  some  one  will  say,  You  profess  to  be  speak- 
ing to  parents,  and  this  command  is  given  to  chil- 
dren. True,  friend,  but  the  duty  required  of 
children  implies  a  corresponding  duty  on  the  part 
of  parents.  Who  shall  teach  children  to  rever- 
ence that  father  and  mother  in  whose  character 
there  is  nothing  to  call  forth  such  a  sentiment  1 
"  Though  children  are  not  absolved  from  the  obli- 
gation of  this  commandment  by  the  misconduct 
of  their  parents,  yet,  in  the  nature  of  things,  it  is 
impossible  that  they  should  yield  the  same  hearty 
respect  and  veneration  to  the  unworthy  as  to  the 
worthy,  nor  does  God  require  a  child  to  pay  an 
irrational  honor  to  his  parents.  If  his  parents 


THE   MOTHERS    OF    ISRAEL   AT   IIOREB.        133 

are  atheists,  he  cannot  honor  them  as  Christians. 
If  they  are  prayerless  and  profane,  he  cannot 
honor  them  as  religious.  If  they  are  worldly, 
avaricious,  overreaching,  unscrupulous  as  to  vera- 
city and  honest  dealing,  he  cannot  honor  them  as 
exemplary,  upright,  conscientious  and  spiritually- 
minded." 

If  parents  only  say,  like  Eli,  in  feeble  accents, 
"  Nay,  my  sons  ;  for  it  is  no  good  report  that  I 
hear.  Why  do  ye  such  things?"  they  will  not 
only  have  disobedient  and  irreverent  children,  but 
often,  if  not  always,  they  will  be  made  to  under- 
stand that  their  sin  is  grievous  in  the  sight  of 
God,  and  he  will  say  of  each  of  them  also,  "I 
will  judge  his  house  forever  for  the  iniquity  which 
he  knoweth,  because  his  sons  made  themselves 
vile  and  he  restrained  them  not."  "And  therefore 
have  I  sworn  unto  the  house  of  Eli,  that  the 
iniquity  of  Eli's  house  shall  not  be  purged  with 
sacrifice  nor  offering  forever." 

Unto  parents  God  has  committed  the  child,  in 
utter  helplessness,  weakness,  and  ignorance,  — 
an  unformed  being.  The  power  and  the  knowl- 
edge are  theirs,  and  on  their  side  is  He,  the  al- 
12 


134  THE    MOTHERS    OF   THE  BIBLE. 

mighty  and  infinitely  wise,  with  his  Spirit  and  his 
laws  and  his  promises.  If  they  are  faithful ;  if 
from  the  first  they  realize  their  responsibility,  and 
the  advantages  of  their  position,  can  the  result 
be  doubtful  ?  But  they  will  not  be  faithful ; 
imperfection  is  stamped  on  all  earthly  character, 
and  they  will  fail  in  this  as  in  all  other  duties. 
What  then  ?  Blessed  be  God,  the  Gospel  has  a 
provision  for  erring  parents.  If  Sinai  thunders, 
Calvary  whispers  peace.  For  men,  as  sinners, 
the  righteousness  of  Christ  prevails,  and  for  sin- 
ners, as  parents,  not  less  shall  it  be  found  suf- 
ficient. Line  and  plummet  can  soon  measure  the 
extent  of  human  perfection,  but  they  cannot 
fathom  the  merit  of  that  righteousness,  which, 
when  laid  side  by  side  with  the  most  holy  law, 
shows  no  deficiency.  If,  then,  we  find  ourselves 
daily  coming  short  of  the  terms  of  that  covenant 
which  God  has  made  with  us  as  parents,  we 
need  not  despair  of  his  fulfilling  his  part,  for 
we  can  plead  our  Surety's  work,  and  that  is  ever 
acceptable  in  his  eyes,  and  answers  all  his  de- 
mands. 

Let  not,  however,  the  negligent  and  wilfully- 


THE   MOTHERS    OF   ISRAEL   AT   HOREB.         135 

ignorant  parent  conclude  that  the  spotless  robe 
of  the  perfect  Saviour  will  be  thrown  as  a  shield 
over  his  deficiencies  and  deformity.  Let  not 
those  who  have  blindly  and  carelessly  entered  on 
parental  duties,  without  endeavoring  to  ascertain 
the  will  of  God  and  the  requirements  of  his  law, 
expect  that  the  blessing  of  obedient  and  sanc- 
tified children  will  crown  their  days.  Let  not 
those  who  suffer  their  children  to  grow  up  around 
them  like  weeds,  without  religious  culture  or 
pruning,  who  demand  no  obedience,  who  com- 
mand no  reverence,  who  offer  no  earnest,  cease- 
less prayer,  let  them  not  suppose  that  the  blessing 
of  the  God  who  spoke  from  Horeb  will  come  upon 
their  families.  "  He  is  in  one  mind,  and  who  can 
turn  him  ? "  Not  an  iota  has  he  abated  from  his 
law  since  that  fearful  day.  Not  less  sinful  in  his 
eyes  is  disobedience  to  parents  now,  than  when 
he  commanded  the  rebellious  son  to  be  "stoned 
with  stones  until  he  died."  Yet,  how  far  below 
his  standard  are  the  ideas  even  of  many  Christian 
parents!  "How  different,"  says  Wilberforce, 
"  nay,  in  many  respects,  how  contradictory, 
would  be  the  two  systems  of  mere  morals,  of 


136  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

"which  the  one  should  be  formed  from  the  com- 
monly-received maxims  of  the  Christian  world, 
and  the  other  from  the  study  of  the  holy  Scrip- 
tures ;  "  and  we  are  never  more  forcibly  impressed 
with  this  difference  than  when  we  see  it  exem- 
plified in  this  solemn  subject. 

The  parents  who  stood  at  Horeb  learned  that 
God  required  them  to  train  their  children  to  im- 
plicit and  uncompromising  obedience,  and  he  who 
closely  studies  the  word  of  God  can  find  no  other 
or  lighter  requisition.  How  will  the  received 
opinions  and  customs  of  this  age  compare  with 
the  demand. 

We  ask  our  young  friends,  who  may  perchance 
glance  over  these  pages,  to  pause  a  moment  and 
consider  :  If  capital  punishment  should  now  be 
inflicted  on  every  disobedient  child,  how  many 
roods  of  earth  would  be  planted  with  the  instru- 
ments of  death  ?  If  every  city  were  doomed  to 
destruction  in  which  the  majority  of  sons  and 
daughters  "  set  light  by  father  and  mother,"  how 
many  would  remain  ?  To  every  child  living  comes 
a  voice,  "Know  thou  that  for  all  these  things  God 
will  bring  thee  into  judgment." 


THE  WIDOWED  MOTHERS  OF  ISRAEL  AT 
HOREB. 

THERE  is  no  path  of  duty  appointed  for  man  to 
tread,  concerning  which  the  Almighty  has  not 
expressed  his  will  in  terms  so  plain  that  the  sin- 
cere inquirer  may  always  hear  a  voice  behind 
him  saying,  "  This  is  the  way,  walk  ye  in  it ;" 
nor  are  there  any  relations  of  life,  nor  any  hu- 
man affections,  which  he  has  not  constituted  and 
bestowed,  nor  any  disappointment  of  those  affec- 
tions for  which  he  has  not  manifested  a  sympathy 
so  sincere,  that  the  desolate  and  heart-stricken 
may  always  say,  "  Earth  has  no  sorrow  that 
heaven  cannot  heal." 

Yet  it  is  something  difficult  for  us  to  realize,  in 
our  hours  of  darkness  and  despondency,  that  to- 
ward us  personally  and  individually  the  great 
heart  of  Infinite  Love  yearns  with  tenderness  and 
pity.  Even  if  we  can  say,  "Though  clouds  and 
darkness  are  round  about  him,  justice  and  judg- 
ment are  the  habitation  of  his  throne,"  and  can 
12* 


138  THE   MOTHERS   OF   THE    BIBLE. 

acquiesce  meekly  in  all  his  dispensations,  and 
believe  sincerely  that  they  will  work  for  our  good, 
yet  we  often  fail  of  the  blessedness  which  might 
be  ours,  if  we  could  be  equally  assured  that, 
"As  a  father  pitieth  his  children,  so  doth  the  Lord 
pity  them  that  fear  him."  This  assurance  only 
the  faithful  student  of  the  Bible  can  feel,  as  the 
great  truth  gleams  forth  upon  him  from  time  to 
time,  illuming  "  dark  affliction's  midnight  gloom" 
with  rays  celestial,  and  furnishing  balm  for  every 
wound,  the  balm  of  sympathy  and  love. 

We  often  hear  it  said  by  those  who  even  pro- 
fess themselves  Christians,  and  devout  lovers  of 
the  sacred  oracles,  "  How  can  you  read  the  book 
of  Leviticus  ?  What  can  you  find  in  the  dry  de- 
tails of  the  ceremonial  law  to  detain  you  months 
in  its  study,  and  call  forth  such  expressions  of 
interest  ?  "  Such  will  probably  pass  by  this  ar- 
ticle when  they  find  themselves  invited  again  to 
Horeb.  Turn  back,  friends.  You  are  not  the 
only  ones  who  have  excused  themselves  from  a 
feast.  And  we,  we  will  extend  our  invitation  to 
others.  On  the  by-ways  and  lanes  they  can  be 
found  ;  in  every  corner  of  this  wide-spread  earth 


THE   WIDOWED    MOTHERS   AT   HOREB.          139 

are  some  for  whom  our  table  is  prepared.  We 
leave  the  prosperous,  the  gay,  the  happy,  and 
speak  to  the  desolate,  the  widowed. 

Dearly  beloved,  you  who  can  look  back  to  a 
day  in  your  history  over  which  no  cloud  lowered, 
when  you  wore  the  bridal  wreath,  and  stood  at 
the  sacred  altar,  and  laid  your  hand  in  a  hand 
faithful  and  true,  and  pledged  vows  of  love,  and 
when  hope  smiled  on  all  your  future  path  ;  but 
who  have  lived  to  see  all  you  then  deemed  most 
precious,  laid  beneath  the  clods  of  the  valley, 
and  have  exchanged  buds  of  orange  for  the  most 
intensely  sable  of  earthly  weeds  ;  you  who  once 
walked  on  your  earthly  journey  in  sweet  compan- 
ionship which  brightened  your  days ;  who  were 
wont  to  lay  your  weary  head  every  night  on  the 
faithful,  "  pillowing  breast,"  and  there  forget 
your  woes  and  cares,  but  who  are  now  alone  ; 
you  who  trusted  in  manly  counsel  and  guidance 
for  your  little  ones,  but  who  now  shed  bitter,  un- 
availing tears  in  every  emergency  which  reminds 
you  that  they  are  fatherless  ;  and,  worse  than  all, 
you  who  had  all  your  wants  supplied  by  the  lov- 
ing, toiling  husband  and  father,  but  have  now  to 


140  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

contend  single-handed  with  poverty  ;  come,  sor- 
rowing, widowed  hearts,  visit  with  us  Horeb's 
holy  mount.  It  is,  indeed,  a  barren  spot ;  nev- 
ertheless it  has  blossoms  of  loveliness  for  you. 
Come  in  faith,  and  perchance  the  prophet's  vision 
shall  be  yours;  peradventure,  the  "still  small 
voice,"  which  bade  to  rest  the  turmoil  of  his  soul, 
shall  soothe  your  griefs  also.  The  words  which 
are  heard  from  its  summit,  as  Jehovah  gives  to 
Moses  his  directions,  have  indeed  to  do  with 
"  meats  and  drinks  and  divers  washings,"  yet,  if 
you  listen  intently,  you  will  now  and  then  hear 
those,  which,  as  the  expression  of  your  heavenly 
Father's  heart,  will  amply  repay  the  toil  of  the 
ascent.  Draw  near  and  hearken  : 

"  Ye  shall  not  afflict  any  widow  nor  fatherless 
child.  If  thou  afflict  them  in  any  wise,  and  they 
cry  at  all  unto  me,  I  will  surely  hear  their  cry, 
and  my  wrath  shall  wax  hot,  and  I  will  kill  you 
with  the  sword  ;  and  your  wives  shall  be  widows, 
your  children  fatherless." 

Will  you  not  now  be  comforted  ?  "  The  Eter- 
nal makes  your  sorrows  his  own,"  and  himself 
stands  forth  as  your  protector  against  every  ill. 


THE   WIDOWED    MOTHERS   AT   HOREB.  141 

He  speaks  in  your  behalf  to  all  around  you.  How 
fearfully  stern  the  tones  in  which  he  bids  them 
beware  how  they  injure  you  !  How  secure  a 
refuge  he  affords  you  from  every  form  of  human 
aggression  on  your  rights  or  happiness  !  Would 
any  wrest  from  you  by  fraud  or  violence  your  little 
store  of  earthly  goods;  appeal  to  him.  Does  the 
tongue  of  slander  seek  to  take  from  you  your 
good  name  ;  tell  him  your  grief,  as  you  would 
have  told  it  to  the  husband  whose  honor  was  con- 
cerned to  defend  you.  In  whatever  way  your 
fellow-creatures  distress  you,  or  try  your  patience, 
or  disturb  your  peace,  his  ear  is  ever  open  to 
hear  your  complaint,  his  word  is  pledged  to  re- 
dress the  wrong. 

Listen  again ! 

"  When  thou  cuttest  down  thy  harvest  in  thy 
field,  and  hast  forgotten  thy  sheaf  in  the  field, 
thou  shalt  not  go  again  to  fetch  it,  but  it  shall  be 
for  the  stranger,  and  the  fatherless,  and  the 
widow,  that  the  Lord  thy  God  may  bless  thee  in 
all  the  works  of  thy  hands." 

Not  only  has  Jehovah  undertaken  to  secure 
you  against  evils  which  might  be  inflicted  by 


142  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

human  means,  but  he  also  designs  to  guard  you 
against  pinching  want  and  poverty.  If  his  will  is 
done  you  will  not  suffer.  He  does  not  indeed 
command  ravens  to  feed  you,  but  he  does  lay  his 
injunctions  on  every  one  of  his  children  to  pro- 
vide for  you,  if  you  are  in  need.  Those  who 
obey  him,  and  wish  to  please  him,  will  be  always 
ready  to  aid  you  for  his  sake.  He  bids  every 
Israelite  bring  a  certain  portion  of  his  possessions 
to  furnish  the  table  of  the  Lord,  and  assuring 
you  that  he  considers  you  his  own,  and  will  per- 
form the  part  of  husband  and  father  for  you,  at 
that  table,  and  in  his  own  house,  he  provides  for 
you  ever  a  place.  In  the  tithes  of  wine,  corn 
and  oil,  the  firstlings  of  the  herds  and  flocks,  in  all 
that  is  to  be  devoted  to  the  service  of  the  Lord, 
you  have  your  share. 

"  At  the  end  of  three  years  thou  shalt  bring 
forth  all  the  tithe  of  thine  increase  the  same  year 
and  lay  it  up  within  the  gates.  And  the  Levite, 
because  he  hath  no  part  nor  inheritance  with  thee, 
and  the  stranger,  and  the  fatherless,  and  the 
widow,  which  are  within  thy  gates,  shall  come 
and  eat  and  be  satisfied,  that  the  Lord  thy  God 


THE   WIDOWED    MOTHERS    AT    IIOREB.          143 

may  bless  thee  in  all  the  work  of  thine  hand 
which  thou  doest." 

Do  you  sorrowfully  say  that  no  such  table  is 
now  spread  ?  But  lie  who  thus  provided,  still 
lives,  and  is  the  same  as  then.  The  silver  and 
the  gold  are  his,  and  the  cattle  upon  a  thousand 
hills,  and  he  ruleth  all  things  by  the  word  of  his 
power.  They  that  trust  in  him  shall  never  be 
confounded. 

"  Thou  shalt  not  pervert  the  judgment  of  the 
stranger,  nor  of  the  fatherless,  nor  take  the 
widow's  raiment  to  pledge."  Why  ?  Because 
they  have  no  earthly  friend  to  redeem  the  latter,  or 
plead  for  the  former.  Weak  and  unguarded,  they 
are  exposed  to  all  these  evils,  but  He,  the  Eter- 
nal, takes  them  under  his  own  especial  care  ; 
and  instead  of  compelling  them  to  depend  an  the 
insecure  tenure  of  man's  compassion,  or  even 
justice,  institutes  laws  for  their  benefit,  the  dis- 
obedience of  which  is  sin  against  himself." 

Scattered  through  all  the  sacred  volume  are 
words  which,  equally  with  those  we  have  quoted, 
speak  forth  Jehovah's  interest  in  the  helpless. 
"  Leave  thy  fatherless  children  to  me,"  he  said, 


144  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

by  his  prophet  Jeremiah,  at  a  time  when  misery, 
desolation,  and  destruction,  were  falling  on  Judea 
and  her  sons  for  their  awful  impiety.  "Leave 
thy  fatherless  children,  I  will  preserve  them  alive  ; 
and  let  thy  widows  trust  in  me."  "A  father  of 
the  fatherless,  and  a  judge  of  the  widows,  is  God 
in  his  holy  habitation." 

0,  do  we  receive  the  full  import  of  these  soul- 
cheering  words  ?  Lone,  solitary  one  !  who  hidest 
in  thy  heart  a  grief  which,  untasted,  cannot  be 
understood ;  there  is  a  Being,  sitting  on  the  circle 
of  the  heavens,  who  knows  every  pang  thou  en- 
durest.  He  formed  thee  susceptible  of  the  love 
which  thou  hast  felt  and  enjoyed  ;  himself  or- 
dained the  tie  which  bound  thee.  He,  better 
than  any  other,  comprehends  thy  loss.  Dost  thou 
doubt.  Study  faithfully  his  word ;  obey  his  voice ; 
yield  thy  heart  to  him,  and  trust  him  implicitly. 
He  will  prove  himself  able  to  bless  thee  in  thine 
inmost  soul.  The  avenues  to  that  soul  are  all 
open  to  him,  and  he  can  cause  such  gentle, 
soothing  influences  to  flow  in  upon  thee  as  shall 
make  thee  "sing  even  as  in  the  days  of  thy 
youth." 


THE    WIDOWED    MOTHERS    AT   IIOREB.  145 

Fatherless  child !  whose  heart  fails  thee  when 
thou  dost  miss  from  every  familiar  place  the  guide 
of  thy  youth  ;  faint  not  nor  be  discouraged, 
though  the  way  is  rough,  and  the  voice  that 
ever  spoke  tenderly  to  thee  is  silent.  Thou  hast 
a  Father  in  heaven ;  and  he  who  calls  himself 
such,  understands  better  than  thou  what  is  im- 
plied in  that  sacred  name.  Tell  him  thy  woes 
and  wants. 

"  Thou  art  as  much  his  care,  as  if  beside 
Nor  man  nor  angel  lived  in  heaven  or  earth." 

13 


NAOMI  AND   RUTH. 

IT  would  be  only  presumption  in  us  to  attempt 
giving,  in  any  other  than  the  beautifully  simple 
words  of  Scripture,  the  story  of  Ruth  and  her 
mother-in-law.  The  narration  is  inimitable,  and 
needs  nothing  to  make  it  stand  out  like  a  picture 
before  the  mind.  Suffice  it,  then,  that  now  we 
attend  only  to  the  lessons  which  may  be  gathered 
from  it,  and  endeavor  to  profit  by  them  through 
all  our  coming  lives.  Nor  let  any  think  the  les- 
sons afforded  by  these  four  short  chapters  few  or 
easily  acted  upon,  though  they  may  be  soon  com- 
prehended. They  will  amply  repay  earnest  study 
and  persevering  practice. 

The  first  thing  which  wins  our  admiration  is 
Ruth's  faith.  She  had  been  educated  in  the 
degrading  worship  of  Chemosh,  the  supreme 
deity  of  Moab.  Probably  no  conception  of  the 
one  living  God  had  been  formed  in  her  mind 
until  her  acquaintance  with  the  Jewish  youth, 
the  son  of  Elimelech  and  Naomi.  How  long  she 


T^AOMI   AND    RUTH.  147 

had  the  happiness  of  a  wife  we  are  not  informed. 
We  know  it  was  only  a  few  years.  But  during 
that  period  she  had  learned  to  put  such  confi- 
dence in  Jehovah,  that  she  was  willing  to  forsake 
country  and  friends,  even  the  home  of  her  child- 
hood and  beloved  parents,  and  go  forth  with  her 
mother-in-law  to  strange  scenes,  and  willing  to 
brave  penury  and  vicissitude,  that  she  might  be 
numbered  among  his  people.  Firmly  she  ad- 
hered to  her  resolution.  The  entreaties  of 
Naomi  —  the  thought  of  her  mother  —  the  pros- 
pects which  might  await  her  in  her  own  land  — 
even  the  retreating  form  of  Orphan  —  nothing  had 
power  to  prevail  over  her  desire  to  see  Canaan 
and  unite  in  the  worship  of  her  husband's  God. 
"  The  Lord  recompense  thy  work,"  said  Boaz 
to  her,  "  and  a  full  reward  be  given  thee  of  the 
Lord  God  of  Israel,  under  whose  wings  thou  art 
come  to  trust."  He  is  not  unfaithful,  and  that 
reward  was  made  sure.  "  Of  the  life  that  now 
is  "  the  promise  speaks,  and  it  was  fulfilled  to 
her.  Of  an  undying,  honorable  name  it  says 
nothing,  but  that  is  also  awarded  her.  "  Upon 
a  monument  which  has  already  outlasted  thrones 


148  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

and  empires,  and  which  shall  endure  until  there 
be  a  new  heaven  and  a  new  earth  —  upon  the 
front  page  of  the  New  Testament  is  inscribed  the 
name  of  RUTH.  Of  her  came  David  —  of  her 
came  a  long  line  of  illustrious  and  good  men  — 
of  her  came  Christ." 

Why  will  we  not  learn,  why  will  we  not 
daily  and  constantly  act  upon  the  truth  that  im- 
plicit faith  is  pleasing  to  God  ?  "  None  of  them 
that  trust  in  him  shall  be  desolate." 

There  is  a  fund  of  instruction,  also,  in  the  few 
glimpses  which  we  gain  of  the  intercourse  of 
Naomi  and  Ruth,  as  they  journey  on,  and  after 
their  arrival  in  Canaan.  How  does  the  law  of 
love  dictate  and  pervade  every  word  and  action  ! 
Naomi  had  once  been  an  honored  wife  and 
mother  in  Judah,  and  far  above  the  reach  of 
want.  But  in  "  the  days  when  the  judges 
ruled,"  those  days  during  which  "  every  man  did 
that  which  was  right  in  his  own  eyes,"  her  husband 
had  deserted  his  people  ;  and  now  on  her  return 
she  was  probably  penniless,  her  inheritance  sold 
until  the  year  of  jubilee,  and  she  in  her  old  age, 
unable  by  her  own  efforts  to  gain  a  subsistence. 


NAOMI    AND    RUTH.  149 

The  poor  in  Israel  were  not  forlorn,  but  it  re- 
quired genuine  humility  on  Ruth's  part,  and  a 
sincere  love  for  her  mother-in-law,  to  induce  her 
to  avail  herself  of  the  means  provided.  She  hesi- 
tated not.  It  was  "  in  the  beginning  of  the 
barley  harvest  "  that  they  came  to  Bethlehem, 
and  as  soon  as  they  were  settled,  apparently  in  a 
small  and  humble  tenement,  she  went  forth  to 
glean  in  some  field  after  the  reapers,  not  know- 
ing how  it  would  fare  with  her,  but  evidently 
feeling  that  all  depended  on  her  labors.  The 
meeting  of  the  mother  and  daughter  at  the  close 
of  that  important  day  is  touching  indeed.  The 
joy  with  which  the  aged  Naomi  greets  her  only 
solace,  and  the  kind  and  motherly  care  with 
which  she  brings  the  remains  of  her  own  scanty 
meal,  which  she  had  laid  aside  ;  her  eager  ques- 
tions, and  Ruth's  cheerful  replies  as  she  lays 
down  her  burden  and  relates  the  pleasant  events 
of  the  day  —  what  gratitude  to  God,  what 
dawning  hopes,  what  a  delightful  spirit  of  love, 
appear  through  all !  And,  as  days  pass,  how  ten- 
derly does  Naomi  watch  over  the  interests  of  her 
child,  and  how  remarkable  is  the  deference  to 


150  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

her  wishes  which  ever  animates  Ruth !  Even  in 
the  matter  of  her  marriage,  —  a  subject  on  which 
young  people  generally  feel  competent  to  judge 
for  themselves,  —  she  is  governed  entirely  by  her 
mother's  directions.  "  All  that  thou  sayest  unto 
me  I  will  do."  Said  a  young  lady  in  our  hear- 
ing, not  long  since,  "  When  I  am  married  I  shall 
desire  that  my  husband  may  have  no  father  or 
mother."  This  is  not  an  unusual  wish,  nor  is  it 
uttered  in  all  cases  lightly  and  without  reason. 
We  know  of  a  mother  who  would  never  consent 
that  her  only  son  should  bring  his  wife  to  dwell 
under  her  roof,  although  she  was  entirely  satis- 
fied with  his  choice,  and  was  constantly  doing 
all  in  her  power  to  promote  their  happiness. 
What  were  her  reasons  ?  She  was  a  conscien- 
tious Christian  and  fond  mother,  but  she  would 
not  risk  their  mutual  happiness.  She  felt  herself 
unable  to  bear  the  test,  and  she  was  unwilling  to 
subject  her  children  to  it.  Often  do  we  hear 
expressions  of  pity  bestowed  on  the  young  wife 
who  is  so  "unfortunate"  as  to  be  compelled  to 
live  with  her  mother-in-law,  and  many  are  the 
sighs,  and  nods,  and  winks  of  gossip  among  the 


NAOMI    AND    RUTH.  151 

mothers-in-law  themselves  over  the  trials  which 
some  of  their  number  endure  from  their  sons' 
wives.  Why  is  all  this  ?  The  supreme  selfish- 
ness of  our  human  nature  must  answer.  Having 
a  common  love  for  one  object,  the  mother  for  her 
son,  the  wife  for  her  husband,  they  should  be 
bound  by  strong  ties,  and  their  mutual  interests 
should  produce  mutual  kindness  and  sympathy  ; 
and  this  would  always  be  the  case  if  each  were 
governed  by  the  spirit  of  the  Gospel.  But,  alas! 
love  of  self,  rather  than  the  pure  love  inculcated 
by  Jesus  Christ,  most  often  rules.  Brought  to- 
gether from  different  paths,  unlike,  it  may  be,  in 
natural  temperament,  perhaps  differing  in  opin- 
ion, the  mother  wishing  to  retain  her  wonted 
control  over  her  son,  the  wife  feeling  hers  the 
superior  claim,  there  springs  up  a  contest  which 
is  the  fruitful  source  of  unhappiness,  and  which 
mars  many  an  otherwise  fine  character.  Before 
us  in  memory's  glass,  as  we  write,  sits  one  of  a 
most  fair  and  beautiful  countenance,  but  over 
which  hang  dark  clouds  of  care,  and  from  the 
eyes  drop  slowly,  bitter  tears.  She  is  what  all 
around  her  would  call  a  happy  wife  and  mother. 


152  THE   MOTHERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

Fortune  smiles  upon  her,  and  the  blessing  of  God 
abides  by  the  hearth-stone.  Her  husband  is  a 
professing  Christian,  as  is  also  his  yet  youthful- 
looking  mother,  and  the  wife  herself.  Beautiful 
children  gambol  around  her,  and  look  wonder- 
ingly  in  her  face  as  they  see  those  tears.  What 
is  the  secret  of  her  unhappiness  ?  She  deems 
hers  a  very  hard  lot,  and  yet,  if  we  rightly  judge, 
could  her  sorrow  be  resolved  to  its  elements,  it 
would  be  found  that  the  turmoil  of  her  spirit  is 
occasioned  solely  by  the  fact  that  she  finds  it 
hard  to  maintain  her  fancied  rights,  her  desired 
superiority  over  her  husband  and  servants,  be- 
cause of  the  presence  of  her  calm,  firm,  dignified 
mother-in-law,  whose  very  lips  seem  chiselled  to 
indicate  that  they  speak  only  to  be  obeyed.  What 
would  be  the  result  if  the  tender,  considerate 
love  of  Naomi,  and  the  yielding  spirit  of  Euth 
were  introduced  to  the  bosom  of  each  ? 

We  cannot  leave  this  record  of  Holy  Writ 
without  commenting,  also,  on  the  remarkable 
state  of  society  which  existed  in  Bethlehem  in 
those  far  distant  days.  When  Naomi  returned 
after  an  absence  of  ten  years,  —  an  absence 


NAOMI    AND    RUTH.  153 

which  to  many  might  have  seemed  very  culpable, 
—  with  what  enthusiastic  greetings  was  she  re- 
ceived. "  The  whole  city  was  moved."  It  made 
no  difference  that  she  "  went  out  full,  but  had 
returned  empty  ;"  nor  did  they  stop  to  consider 
that  "  the  Lord  had  testified  against  her."  The 
truest  sympathy  was  manifested  for  her,  and  for 
the  stranger  who  had  loved  her  and  clung  to  her. 
In  her  sorrow  they  clustered  around  to  comfort 
her,  and  when  the  bright  reverse  gave  her  again 
an  honored  name  and  "  a  restorer  of  her  life  "  in 
her  young  grandson,  they  were  eager  to  testify 
their  joy.  The  apostolic  injunction,  "  Rejoice 
with  them  that  do  rejoice,  and  weep  with  them 
that  weep,"  seems  to  have  been  strictly  obeyed 
in  Bethlehem.  The  distinctions  of  society,  al- 
though as  marked  apparently  as  in  our  own  time, 
seem  not  to  have  caused  either  unhappiness  or 
the  slightest  approach  to  unkind  or  unchristian 
feeling.  Witness  the  greeting  between  Boaz  and 
the  reapers  on  his  harvest  field.  "  And  behold 
Boaz  came  from  Bethlehem  and  said  unto  the 
reapers,  The  Lord  be  with  you.  And  they 
answered  him,  The  Lord  bless  thee."  Boaz  was 


154  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

"a  mighty  man  of  wealth;"  he  had  his  hired 
workmen  around  him,  and  in  the  same  field  was 
found  the  poor  "  Moabitish  damsel,"  gleaning 
here  and  there  the  scattered  ears,  her  only  de- 
pendence. Yet  we  find  them  all  sitting  together 
in  the  hut  which  was  erected  for  shelter,  and 
eating  together  the  parched  grain  which  was 
provided  for  the  noon's  refreshment,  while  Boaz 
enters  into  a  conversation  with  Ruth  which  indi- 
cates his  truly  noble  and  generous  character,  and 
speaks  words  which  are  like  balm  to  the  sorrow- 
ing spirit.  "  Thou  hast  comforted  me  and  spoken 
to  the  heart  of  thy  handmaid,"  she  said  as  she 
rose  to  leave  the  tent,  and  felt  herself  no  longer 
a  stranger,  since  one  so  excellent  and  so  exalted 
in  station  appreciated  and  sympathized  with  her. 
We  see  little  in  these  Gospel  days  and  in  this 
favored  land  which  will  compare  with  the  genu- 
ine kindliness  which  breathes  in  every  word  and 
act  recorded  in  the  book  of  Ruth. 

But  the  most  surprising  revelation  is  made  in 
the  account  which  follows  the  scene  in  the  tent. 
What  exalted  principle,  what  respect  for  wo- 
man, what  noble  virtue  must  have  characterized 


NAOMI   AND    RUTH.  155 

those  among  whom  a  mother  could  send  her 
daughter  at  night  to  perform  the  part  assigned  to 
Ruth,  apparently  without  a  fear  of  evil,  and 
receive  her  again,  not  only  unharmed,  but  under- 
stood, honored,  and  wedded,  by  the  man  to  whom 
she  was  sent,  and  that  notwithstanding  her  foreign 
birth  and  dependent  situation,  and  fettered  with 
the  condition  that  her  first-born  son  must  bear 
the  name,  and  be  considered  the  child  of  a  dead 
man ! 

We  have  friends  who  wrill  fasten  their  faith  on 
the  New  Testament  only,  and  can  see  nothing  in 
the  Old  akin  to  it  in  precept  or  spirit.  We  com- 
mend to  them  the  Book  of  Ruth. 


HANNAH. 

IMAGINATION  can  picture  no  more  animating 
scenes  than  those  which  were  presented  to  the 
beholder  at  the  seasons  of  the  year  when  Judea 
poured  forth  her  inhabitants  in  crowds  to  attend 
the  solemn  festivals  appointed  by  Jehovah,  and 
observed  with  punctilious  exactness  by  the  people. 
Our  present  study  leads  us  to  contemplate  one  of 
these  scenes. 

From  some  remote  town  on  the  borders  of 
Gentile  territory  the  onward  movement  commences. 
A  few  families  having  finished  all  their  prepara- 
tions, close  the  door  of  their  simple  home,  and 
with  glowing  faces  and  hopeful  steps  begin  their 
march.  They  are  soon  joined  by  others,  and 
again  by  new  reinforcements.  Every  town,  as 
they  pass,  replenishes  their  ranks,  until,  as  they 
approach  Shiloh,  they  are  increased  to  a  mighty 
multitude.  It  is  a  time  of  joy.  Songs  and 
shouts  rend  the  air,  and  unwonted  gladness  reigns. 
All  ages  and  conditions  are  here,  and  every  varie- 


HANNAH.  157 

ty  of  human  form  and  face.  Let  us  draw  near  to 
one  family  group.  There  is  something  more  than 
ordinarily  interesting  in  their  appearance.  The 
father  has  a  noble  mien  as  he  walks  on,  convers- 
ing cheerfully  with  his  children,  answering  their 
eager  questions,  and  pointing  out  the  objects  of 
deepest  import  to  a  Jew  as  they  draw  near  the 
Tabernacle.  The  children  are  light-hearted  and 
gay,  but  the  mother's  countenance  does  not  please 
us.  We  feel  instinctively  that  she  is  not  worthy 
of  her  husband ;  and  especially  is  there  an 
expression  wholly  incongruous  with  this  hour  of 
harmony  and  rejoicing.  While  we  look,  she  lin- 
gers behind  her  family,  and  speaks  to  one,  who, 
with  slow  step  and  downcast  looks,  walks  meekly 
on,  and  seems  as  if  she  pondered  some  deep  grief. 
Will  she  whisper  a  word  of  comfort  in  the  ear  of 
the  sorrowful  ?  Ah,  no  !  A  mocking  smile  is  on 
her  lips,  which  utter  taunting  words,  and  she 
glances  maliciously  round,  winking  to  her  neigh- 
bors to  notice  how  she  can  humble  the  spirit  of  one 
who  is  less  favored  than  herself.  * '  What  would  you 
give  now  to  see  a  son  of  yours  holding  the  father's 
hand,  or  a  daughter  tripping  gladly  along  by  his 
14 


158  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

side  ?  Where  are  your  children,  Hannah  ?  You 
surely  could  not  have  left  them  behind  to  miss 
all  this  pleasure  ?  Perhaps  they  have  strayed 
among  the  company  ?  Would  it  not  be  well  to 
summon  them,  that  they  may  hear  the  father's 
instructions,  and  join  in  the  song  which  we  shall 
all  sing  as  we  draw  near  to  Shiloh?"  Cruel 
words !  and  they  do  their  work.  Like  barbed 
arrows,  they  stick  fast  in  the  sore  heart  of  this 
injured  one.  Her  head  sinks,  but  she  utters  no 
reply.  She  only  draws  nearer  to  her  husband, 

and  walks  more  closely  in  his  footsteps. 

*  *  *  *  * 

The  night  has  passed,  and  a  cloudless  sun 
looks  down  on  the  assembled  thousands  of  Israel. 
Elkanah  has  presented  his  offering  at  the  Taber- 
nacle, and  has  now  gathered  his  family  to  the 
feast  in  the  tent.  As  is  his  wont,  he  gives  to 
each  a  portion,  and  hilarity  presides  at  the  board. 
The  animated  scene  around  them  —  the  white 
tents  stretching  as  far  as  the  eye  can  reach  — 
the  sound  of  innumerable  voices  —  the  meeting 
with  friends  —  all  conspire  to  make  every  heart 
overflow,  and  the  well-spread  table  invites  to  new 


HANNAH.  159 

expressions  of  satisfaction  and  delight.  But 
here,  also,  as  on  the  journey,  one  heart  is  sad. 
At  Elkanah's  right  hand  sits  Hannah,  her  plate 
filled  by  the  hand  of  love  with  "  a  worthy  por- 
tion;" but  it  stands  untasted  before  her.  Her 
husband  is  troubled.  He  has  watched  her  strug- 
gles for  self-control,  and  seen  her  vain  endeavors 
to  eat  and  be  happy  like  those  around  her  ;  and, 
divining  in  part  the  cause  of  her  sorrow,  he  ten- 
derly strives  to  comfort  her.  "  Hannah,  why 
wee  pest  thou  ?  and  why  eatest  thou  not  ?  and 
why  is  thy  heart  grieved  ?  Am  I  not  better  to 
thec  than  ten  sons?"  That  voice  of  sympathy 
and  compassion  is  too  much.  She  rises  and 
leaves  the  tent  to  calm  in  solitude,  as  best  she 
may,  her  bosom's  strife.  Why  must  she  be  thus 
afflicted  ?  Severe,  indeed,  and  bitter  are  the 
elements  which  are  mingled  in  her  cup.  Jeho- 
vah has  judged  her.  She  has  been  taught  to 
believe  that  those  who  are  childless  are  so 
because  of  his  just  displeasure.  Her  fellow- 
creatures  also  despise  her ;  her  neighbors  look 
suspiciously  upon  her.  Wherefore  should  it  be 
thus  ?  She  wanders  slowly,  and  with  breaking 


1GO  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

heart,  towards  the  Tabernacle.  The  aged  Eli 
sits  by  one  of  the  posts  of  the  door  as  she  enters 
the  sacred  inclosure,  but  she  heeds  him  not.  She 
•withdraws  to  a  quiet  spot,  and  finds,  at  last,  a 
refuge.  She  kneels,  and  the  long  pent-up  sor- 
row has  now  its  way  ;  she  "  pours  out  her  soul 
before  the  Lord."  Happy,  though  sorrowful, 
Hannah !  She  has  learned  one  lesson  of  which 
the  prosperous  know  nothing ;  she  has  learned 
to  confide  in  her  Maker,  as  she  could  in  no  other 
friend.  It  were  useless  to  go  to  her  husband 
•with  the  oft-told  trouble.  He  is  ever  fond  and 
kind  ;  but,  though  she  is  childless,  he  is  not, 
and  he  cannot  appreciate  the  extent  of  her  grief. 
All  that  human  sympathy  can  do,  he  will  do,  but 
human  sympathy  cannot  be  perfect.  It  were 
worse  than  useless  to  tell  him  of  Peninnah's 
taunts  and  reproaches.  It  would  be  wicked,  and 
bring  upon  her  Heaven's  just  wrath,  if  she  did 
aught  to  mar  the  peace  of  a  happy  family.  No  ; 
there  is  no  earthly  ear  into  which  she  can  "pour 
out  her  soul."  But  here  her  tears  may  flow  un- 
restrained, and  she  need  leave  nothing  unsaid. 
0  Thou,  who  hidest  the  sorrowing  soul  under 


HANNAH.  1G1 

the  shadow  of  thy  wings  —  who  art  witness  to 
the  tears  which  must  be  hidden  from  all  other 
eyes  —  who  dost  listen  patiently  to  the  sighs  and 
groans  which  can  be  breathed  in  no  other  pres- 
ence —  to  whom  are  freely  told  the  griefs  which 
the  dearest  earthly  friend  cannot  comprehend,  — 
Thou,  who  upbraidest  not  —  who  understandest 
and  dost  appreciate  perfectly  the  woes  under 
which  the  stricken  soul  sways  like  a  reed  in  the 
tempest,  and  whose  infinite  love  and  sympa- 
thy reach  to  the  deepest  recesses  of  the  heart  — 
unto  whom  none  ever  appealed  in  vain — God 
of  all  grace  and  consolation,  blessed  are  they 
who  put  their  trust  in  thee. 

Long  and  earnest  is  Hannah's  communion  with 
her  God  ;  and,  as  she  pleads  her  cause  with 
humility,  and  penitence,  and  love,  she  feels  her 
burdened  heart  grow  lighter.  Hope  springs  up 
where  was  only  despair,  and  a  new  life  spreads 
itself  before  her ;  even  the  hard  thoughts  which 
she  had  harbored  towards  Peninnah  had  melted 
as  she  knelt  in  that  holy  presence.  The  love  of 
the  eternal  has  bathed  her  spirit  in  its  blessed 
flood  ;  and  grief,  and  selfishness,  and  envy,  have 

14* 


162  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

alike  been  washed  away.  Strengthened  with 
might  by  the  spirit  of  the  Lord,  she  puts  forth  a 
vigorous  faith  ;  and,  taking  hold  on  the  covenant 
faithfulness  of  Jehovah,  she  makes  a  solemn 
vow.  The  turmoil  within  is  hushed.  She  rises 
and  goes  forth  like  one  who  is  prepared  for  any 
trial,  who  is  endued  with  strength  by  a  mighty 
though  unseen  power,  and  sustained  by  a  love 
which  has  none  of  the  imperfect  and  unsatisfying 
elements  that  must  always  mingle  with  the  purest 
earthly  affection.  Meek,  confiding,  and  gentle  as 
ever,  she  is  yet  not  the  same.  She  meets  re- 
proach even  from  the  high  priest  himself  with 
calmness.  She  returns  to  her  husband  and  his 
family,  no  longer  shrinking  and  bowed  down  ; 
"  she  eats,  and  her  countenance  is  no  more  sad." 
Another  morning  dawns.  Hannah  has  ob- 
tained her  husband's  sanction  to  the  vow  which 
she  made  in  her  anguish.  Elkanah  and  his 
household  rise  early  and  worship  before  the  Lord, 
and  return  to  their  house  in  Ramah. 

*        .       *  *  #  * 

A  year  passes,  another  and  another,  but  Han- 
nah is  not  found  among  the  multitude  going  up 


HAXNAH.  1G3 

to  Shiloh.  Has  she,  the  pious  and  devoted  one, 
become  indifferent  to  the  service  of  Jehovah,  or, 
have  the  reproaches  and  taunts  of  Peninnah  be- 
come too  intolerable  in  the  presence  of  her  neigh- 
bors, so  that  she  remains  at  home  for  peace  ? 
No.  Reproach  will  harm  her  no  longer.  As  the 
company  departs,  she  stands  with  smiling  coun- 
tenance looking  upon  their  preparations,  and  in 
her  arms  a  fair  son ;  and  her  parting  words  to 
her  husband  are,  —  "I  will  not  go  up  until  the 
child  be  weaned,  and  then  I  will  bring  him,  that 
he  may  appear  before  the  Lord,  and  there  abide 

forever." 

*  *  *  *  * 

Will  she  really  leave  him  ?  Will  she  consent 
to  part  from  her  treasure  and  joy  —  her  only  one  ? 
What  a  blessing  he  has  been  to  her !  Seven 
years  of  peace  and  overflowing  happiness  has 
that  little  one  purchased  for  her  burdened  and 
distracted  spirit.  Can  she  return  to  Ramah 
without  him,  to  solitude  and  loneliness,  un- 
cheered  by  his  winning  ways  and  childish  prat- 
tle ?  Surely  this  is  a  sorrow  which  will  wring 
her  heart  as  never  before.  Not  so.  There  she 


1G4  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

stands  again  on  the  spot  where  she  once  knelt, 
and  wept,  and  vowed,  but  no  tears  fall  now  from 
her  eyes,  no  grief  is  in  her  tones.  She  has 
come  to  fulfil  her  vow,  "  to  lend  her  son  to  the 
Lord  as  long  as  he  liveth."  Again  she  prays  as 
she  is  about  parting  from  him.  What  a  prayer  ! 
a  song  of  exultation  rather.  Listen  to  its  sub- 
lime import.  "  My  heart  rejoiceth  in  the  Lord  ; 
mine  horn  is  exalted  in  the  Lord."  How  did  we 
wrong  thee,  Hannah !  We  said  thy  son  had 
purchased  peace  and  joy  for  thee.  Our  low, 
selfish,  doting  hearts  had  not  soared  to  the 
heights  of  thy  lofty  devotion.  We  deemed  thee 
such  an  one  as  ourselves.  In  the  gift,  truly  thou 
hast  found  comfort ;  but  the  giver  is  he  in  whom 
thou  hast  delighted,  and  therefore  thou  canst  so 
readily  restore  what  he  lent  thee,  on  the  condi- 
tions of  thy  vow.  The  Lord  thy  God  has  been, 
and  is  still  to  be,  thy  portion,  and  thou  fearest 
not  to  leave  thy  precious  one  in  his  house.  We 
thought  to  hear  a  wail  from  thee,  but  we  were 
among  the  foolish.  Thy  soul  is  filled  with  the 
beauty  and  glory  of  the  Lord,  and  thou  hast  not 
a  word  of  sadness  now.  Thou  leavest  thy  lamb 


HANNAH.  165 

among  wolves  —  thy  consecrated  one  with  the 
"  sons  of  Belial  "  —  yet  thou  tremblest  not. 
Who  shall  guide  his  childish  feet  in  wisdom's 
ways  when  thou  art  far  away  ?  What  hinders 
that  he  shall  look  on  vice  till  it  become  familiar, 
and  he  be  even  like  those  around  him  ?  The  old 
man  is  no  fit  protector  for  him.  Does  not  thy 
heart  fear  ?  "0,  woman,  great  is  thy  faith  ! " 

Come  hither,  ye  who  would  learn  a  lesson  of 
wisdom  ;  ponder  this  record  of  the  sacred  word. 
Hannah  returned  to  Ramah.  She  became  the 
mother  of  sons  and  daughters  ;  and  yearly,  as  she 
went  with  her  husband  to  Shiloh,  she  carried  to 
her  first-born,  a  coat  wrought  by  maternal  love, 
and  rejoiced  to  see  him  growing  before  the  Lord. 
How  long  she  did  this  we  are  not  told.  We 
have  searched  in  vain  for  a  word  or  hint  that  she 
lived  to  see  the  excellence  and  greatness  of  the 
son  whom  she  "asked  of  God."  The  only  clue 
which  we  can  find  is,  that  Samuel's  house  was  in 
Ramah,  the  home  of  his  parents  ;  and  we  wish 
to  think  he  lived  there  to  be  with  them  ;  and  we 
hope  his  mother's  eyes  looked  on  the  altar  which 
he  built  there  unto  the  Lord,  and  that  her  heart 


166  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

was  gladdened  by  witnessing  the  proofs  of  his 
wisdom  and  grace,  and  the  favor  with  which  the 
Almighty  regarded  him. 

But  though  we  know  little  of  Hannah,  she, 
being  many  thousand  years  *'  dead,  yet  speak - 
eth."  Come  hither,  ye  who  are  tempest-tossed 
on  a  sea  of  vexations.  Learn  from  her  how  to 
gain  the  ornament  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit. 
Come,  ye  who  feel  that  God  hath  judged  you,  and 
that  you  suffer  affliction  from  his  displeasure. 
Learn  that  you  should  draw  nearer  to  him,  in- 
stead of  departing  from  him.  Come  with  Han- 
nah to  his  very  courts.  "  Pour  out  your  soul" 
before  him  ;  keep  back  none  of  your  griefs ; 
confess  your  sins ;  offer  your  vows ;  multiply 
your  prayers  ;  rise  not  till  you,  also,  can  go  forth 
with  a  countenance  no  more  sad.  .  He  is  "  the 
same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  forever."  Come 
hither,  ye  who  long  to  know  how  your  children 
may  assuredly  be  the  Lord's.  Strive  to  enter 
into  the  spirit  of  Hannah's  vow,  remembering, 
meantime,  all  it  implied  as  she  afterwards  ful- 
filled it.  Appreciate,  if  you  can,  her  love  and 
devotion  to  her  God ;  and  when  you  can  so 


HANNAH.  1G7 

entirely  consecrate  your  all  to  him,  be  assured 
he  will  care  for  what  is  his  own,  and  none  shall 
be  able  to  pluck  it  out  of  his  hand.  Come 
hither,  ye  who  are  called  to  part  with  your  treas- 
ures ;  listen  to  Hannah's  song,  as  she  gives  up 
her  only  son,  to  call  him  hers  no  more  ;  listen, 
till  you  feel  your  heart  joining  also  in  the  lofty 
anthem,  and  you  forget  all  selfish  grief,  as  she 
did,  in  the  contemplation  of  his  glories  who  is 
the  portion  of  the  soul.  "  My  heart  rejoiceth  in 
the  Lord."  Alas!  alas!  how  does  even  the 
Christian  heart,  which  has  professed  to  be  satis- 
fied with  God,  and  content  with  his  holy  will, 
often  depart  from  him,  and  "  provoke  him  to 
jealousy  "  with  many  idols!  Inordinate  affection 
for  some  earthly  object  absorbs  the  soul  which 
vowed  to  love  him  supremely.  In  its  undis- 
guised excess,  it  says  to  the  beloved  object, 
"  Give  me  your  heart ;  Jehovah  must  be  your 
salvation,  but  let  me  be  your  happiness.  A  por- 
tion of  your  time,  your  attention,  your  service, 
he  must  have  ;  but  your  daily,  hourly  thoughts, 
your  dreams,  your  feelings,  let  them  all  be  of 
me  —  of  mine."  0  for  such  a  love  as  she  pos- 


1G8  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

sessed  !  We  should  not  then  love  our  children 
less,  but  more,  far  more  than  now,  and  with  a 
better,  happier  love ;  a  love  from  which  all 
needless  anxiety  would  flee  ;  a  perfect  love, 
casting  out  fear. 

Ye  who  feel  that  death  to  your  loved  ones 
would  not  so  distress  you  as  the  fear  of  leaving 
them  among  baleful  influences ;  who  tremble  in 
view  of  the  evil  that  is  in  the  world ;  remember 
where  Hannah  left,  apparently  without  a  mis- 
giving, her  gentle  child.  With  Eli — who  could 
not  even  train  his  own  sons  in  the  fear  of  the 
Lord —  with  those  sons  who  made  themselves  vile, 
and  caused  Israel  to  transgress,  she  left  him 
ivith  the  Lord.  "Go  ye  and  do  likewise,"  and 
remember,  also,  he  is  the  God  of  the  whole  earth. 


ICHABOD'S   MOTHER. 

"  Strength  is  born 

In  the  deep  silence  of  long-suffering  hearts, 
Not  amidst  joy." 

THE  noblest  characters  the  world  knows  are 
those  who  have  been  trained  in  the  school  of 
affliction.  They  only  who  walk  in  the  fiery  fur- 
nace are  counted  worthy  the  companionship  of 
the  Son  of  God.  The  modes  of  their  discipline 
are  various,  as  are  their  circumstances  and  pecu- 
liar traits,  but  in  one  form  or  other  stern  trials 
have  proved  them  all.  They  partake  of  the 
holiness  of  the  Lord,  because  they  have  first 
endured  the  chastening  of  his  love.  They  are 
filled  with  righteousness,  because  they  have 
known  the  pangs  of  spiritual  hunger  and  the 
extremity  of  thirst.  They  abound,  because  they 
have  been  empty.  They  are  heavenly-minded, 
because  they  have  first  learned,  in  the  bitterness 
of  their  spirits,  how  unsatisfying  is  earth.  They 
are  firmly  anchored  by  faith,  because  frequent 
tempests  and  threatened  shipwreck  have  taught 
15 


170  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

them  their  need.  The  Master  himself  was  made 
perfect  through  suffering,  and  \vith  his  baptism 
must  they  who  would  follow  him  closely,  be  bap- 
tized. 

While  Hannah  was  undergoing  at  Ramah  the 
discipline  which  wrought  in  her  such  noble  qual- 
ities, there  dwelt  in  Shiloh  one  of  kindred  spirit, 
who  was  called  to  endure  even  severer  tests, 
inasmuch  as  that  which  should  have  constituted 
her  happiness  was  evermore  the  bitterest  ingredi- 
ent in  her  cup ;  what  might  have  been  her  purest 
joys  became  her  greatest  griefs.  She  was  a  wife, 
but  only  in  name.  Of  the  serenity  and  bliss 
which  attend  on  true  wedded  love  she  was  de- 
prived. Her  bridal  pillow  was  early  planted 
with  thorns,  which  henceforth  forbade  all  peace. 
She  was  a  mother,  but  her  children  were  to  be 
partakers  of  their  father's  shame,  disgraced,  and 
doomed  to  early  death  or  lives  of  wickedness  and 
woe.  She  seemingly  enjoyed  abundant  privi- 
leges; but  her  trials  as  a  child  of  God  were  deep- 
er than  all  others.  She  dwelt  on  sacred  ground ; 
but,  alas !  herein  lay  the  secret  of  her  sorrow. 
Had  her  home  been  among  the  thousands  in  the 


ICIIABOD'S  MOTHER.  171 

outer  camps,  it  had  not  been  so  sadly  desecrated. 
Her  husband  was  the  High  Priest's  son,  and  daily 
performed  the  priest's  duty  among  holy  things. 
Had  he  been  a  humble  member  of  Dan  or  Naph- 
tali,  his  crimes  had  not  been  so  heinous.  She 
lived  under  the  shadow  of  the  tabernacle  ;  had 
her  abode  been  farther  from  the  sacred  enclosure, 
she  had  not  been  daily  witness  to  the  Heaven- 
daring  deeds  which  made  men  abhor  the  offering 
of  the  Lord,  and  called  for  vengeance  on  her 
nearest  and  dearest.  Her  food  was  constantly 
supplied  from  the  sacred  offerings  ;  had  it  been 
procured  in  ordinary  ways,  she  had  not  been  a 
partaker  with  those  who  committed  sacrilege. 

No  trifling  vexations,  no  light  sorrows  were 
hers  ;  and,  as  might  be  expected,  her  virtues 
bore  their  proportion  to  the  purifying  process  to 
which  she  was  subjected.  Disappointed  in  her 
earthly  hopes,  she  clung  to  her  God,  and  fastened 
her  expectations  on  him.  Humiliated  in  her 
human  relations,  she  aspired  to  nothing  hence- 
forth but  his  honor  and  glory.  Wounded  in 
heart,  her  wealth  of  love  despised,  lonely,  de- 
serted, she  sought  in  him  the  portion  of  her  soul, 


172  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

and  her  lacerated  affections  found  repose  and  sat- 
isfaction, without  the  fear  of  change,  in  his  un- 
changing love. 

It  is  often  so  ordered,  in  the  providence  of 
God,  that  those  who  have  borne  the  yoke  in  their 
youth,  live  to  see  days  of  comparative  quietude 
-and  exemption  from  trouble.  Hannah,  after  the 
birth  of  Samuel,  appears  to  have  passed  the 
remainder  of  her  life  in  peace  and  prosperity. 
But  the  nameless  woman  whose  memorial  we 
record  had  no  respite.  Her  life  was  a  life  of 
endurance,  and  she  was  cut  off  in  the  midst  of 
her  days  by  a  most  fearful  and  agonizing  stroke. 

Israel  was  as  usual  at  war  with  the  Philistines. 
The  army  had  pitched  beside  Ebenezer,  "And 
the  Philistines  put  themselves  in  array  against 
Israel ;  and  when  they  joined  battle,  Israel  was 
smitten  before  the  Philistines."  Alarmed  and 
distressed  by  this  defeat,  the  Israelites,  vainly 
imagining  that  wherever  the  ark  of  God  was, 
there  he  would  be,  also,  with  his  favoring  pres- 
ence, sent  up  to  Shiloh  to  bring  from  thence  the 
sacred  symbol.  With  great  pomp  and  solemnity 
it  was  borne  by  the  Priests  and  Levites,  and 


ICHABOD'S  MOTHER.  173 

tumultuous  was  the  rejoicing  as  it  entered  the 
camp ;  but  no  account  is  given  of  the  feelings  of 
those  who  remained  near  the  deserted  tabernacle. 
Did  the  aged  Eli  forebode  that  the  awful  event 
which  should  signal  the  fulfilment  of  prophetic 
woe  against  his  family  was  about  to  befall  ?  Did 
the  abused  wife  dream  that  she  should  behold  no 
more  her  husband's  face  ?  We  know  not  what 
of  personal  apprehension  mingled  with  their 
trouble;  but  we  do  know  that  with  trembling 
hearts  these  faithful  servants  of  God  awaited 
tidings  of  the  ark  of  his  covenant.  How  por- 
tentous soever  might  be  the  cloud  which  hung 
over  their  own  happiness,  they  deemed  it  of 
small  importance  in  comparison  with  the  honor 
of  Jehovah.  The  messenger  came,  but  who 
shall  portray  the  scene  when  he  rendered  his 

tidings ! 

******* 

In  a  darkened  chamber,  whither  death,  clothed 
in  unwonted  horrors,  has  suddenly  come  for  the 
fourth  victim  of  that  doomed  family,  lies  the  sub- 
ject of  our  meditations,  panting  under  his  iron 
grasp.  The  afflictions  of  her  life  are  now  con- 
15* 


174  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

summated.  The  husband  of  her  youth — his  fol- 
lies and  faults  against  her  now  all  forgotten  in 
the  bitter  thought  that  he  is  dead  —  has  gone  un-~ 
repentant  to  the  bar  of  God,  to  give  account  of  his 
priesthood  ;  her  venerable  father-in-law  alone, 
with  no  friend  to  cheer  his  dying  agonies,  has 
also  departed  from  earth ;  her  people  are  defeat- 
ed in  battle,  and,  worse  than  all,  the  ark  of  God 
is  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  uncircumcised 
Philistines,  who  doubtless  glory  as  if  Dagon  had 
conquered  the  invincible  Jehovah.  What  to  her 
are  the  pangs  and  throes  under  which  her  tor- 
tured body  labors  ?  She  heeds  them  not.  Pity- 
ing friends  endeavor  to  rouse  her  from  her  dying 
lethargy,  by  the  most  glad  tidings  a  Hebrew 
woman  could  learn:  "Fear  not;  for  thou  hast 
borne  a  son  !  "  But  she  answers  not.  Shorter 
and  shorter  grows  her  breath,  nearer  and  nearer 
she  approaches  the  eternal  shore.  But  she  is  a 
mother;  and,  though  every  other  tie  is  sundered, 
and  she  is  dying  of  the  wounds  which  the  cruel 
breaking  of  those  heart-strings  has  caused,  she 
feels  one  cord  drawing  her  to  her  new-born 
child,  and  asks  that  he  may  be  brought.  It  is 


ICHABOD'S  MOTHER.  175 

too  much !  Why  was  he  born  ?  No  cheering 
thought  comes  with  his  presence.  Nor  joy  nor 
honor  are  in  store  for  him.  "Call  him  Ichabod" 
(without  glory),  she  gasps  in  feeble  accents ; 
"  for  the  glory  is  departed  from  Israel:  for  the 
ark  of  God  is  taken."  A  moment  more,  and 
her  freed  spirit  is  in  His  open  presence,  who  she 

deemed  was  forever  departed  from  her  people. 

******* 

Christian  friend, — you  who  are  walking  through 
desert  places,  and  perhaps  fainting  under  the 
heavy  hand  of  God,  —  let  not  your  heart  fail  you. 
Shrink  not  back  from  the  path,  though  it  seem 
beset  with  thorns.  Some  good  is  in  store  for 
you.  Affliction,  indeed,  is  not  for  the  present 
joyous,  but  grievous  ;  nevertheless,  afterward  it 
yieldeth  the  peaceable  fruits  of  righteousness. 
If,  like  the  mother  of  Ichabod,  you  learn  to  for- 
sake the  turbid  waters  of  earth  for  the  Fountain 
of  eternal  love,  —  if  you  make  the  Lord  your 
portion, — you  will  not  in  the  end  be  the  loser, 
though  wave  on  wave  roll  over  you  and  strip  you 
of  every  other  joy.  No,  not  even  if,  at  length, 
your  sun  shall  set  in  clouds  impenetrable  to  mortal 


176  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

vision.  A  glorious,  cloudless  morning  lies  be- 
yond, and  you  shall  be  forever  satisfied  with  Him 
who  has  chosen  you  in  the  furnace  of  affliction. 

*'  Then  rouse  thee  from  desponding  sleep, 

Nor  by  the  wayside  lingering  weep, 
Nor  fear  to  seek  Him  farther  in  the  wild, 

Whose  love  can  turn  earth's  worst  and  least 

Into  a  conqueror's  royal  feast : 
Thou  wilt  not  be  untrue,  thou  shalt  not  be  beguiled." 


THE   MOTHER  OF   SAMSON. 

IN  the  thirteenth  chapter  of  the  Book  of  Judges 
is  recorded  the  short  but  suggestive  story  which 
is  our  present  Bible  lesson.  Horeb  is  long  since 
left  behind.  The  evil  generation,  who  forty 
years  tried  the  patience  of  Jehovah,  have  fallen 
in  the  wilderness,  and  their  successors  are  now 
in  possession  of  the  promised  land.  Moses,  and 
Joshua,  and  Caleb,  have  gone  to  their  rest,  and 
Israel,  bereft  of  their  counsel,  follow  wise  or  evil 
advices,  as  a  wayward  fancy  may  dictate,  and 
receive  a  corresponding  recompense  at  the  hands 
of  their  God.  The  children  proved  in  no  respect 
wiser  or  more  obedient  than  their  fathers.  Again 
and  again  "  they  forsook  the  Lord,  and  served  the 
idols  of  the  Canaanites,  and  in  wrath  he  gave 
them  up  to  their  enemies."  Often,  in  pity,  he 
raised  up  for  them  deliverers,  who  would  lead 
them  for  a  time  in  better  paths  ;  "  but  when  the 
judge  was  dead,  they  returned,  and  corrupted 
themselves  more  than  their  fathers,  in  following 


178  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

other  gods  to  serve  them,  and  to  bow  down  unto 
them :  they  ceased  not  from  their  own  doings, 
nor  from  their  stubborn  way ;"  and  therefore  were 
they  often,  for  long,  tedious  years,  in  bondage  to 
the  various  nations  which  God  had  left  in  the 
land,  "to  prove  them  whether  they  would  walk 
in  his  ways."  It  was  during  one  of  these  sea- 
sons of  trouble  that  the  subject  of  our  study  is 
mentioned.  She  was  the  wife  of  Manoah,  a 
citizen  of  Zorah,  of  the  tribe  of  Dan.  Of  her 
previous  history,  and  the  events  of  her  after  life, 
we  know  nothing.  He  who  beholdeth  all  things 
that  are  done  under  the  sun,  and  readeth  all 
hearts,  had  marked  her  out  as  the  instrument 
wherewith  he  would  work  to  get  glory  to  him- 
self; and,  however  little  known  to  others,  he 
deemed  her  worthy  of  this  distinguished  honor, 
—  worthy  to  receive  a  direct  communication  from 
himself.  Of  her  character  nothing  is  said  ;  but 
we  gather  that  she  was  a  self-denying,  obedient 
child  of  God. 

It  is  not  necessary  that  we  should  detail  every 
incident  of  those  interviews  with  the  angel  Jeho- 
vah, which  the  mother  of  Samson  was  permitted 


THE   MOTHER   OF    SAMSON.  179 

to  enjoy.  Take  your  Bible,  friend,  and  read  for 
yourself,  in  words  more  befitting  than  we  can 
use ;  and,  as  you  rise  from  the  perusal,  if  the  true 
spirit  of  a  Christian  reigns  in  your  heart,  you 
will  perhaps  exclaim,  "  0,  that  the  Lord  would 
come  to  me  also,  and  tell  me  how  I  shall  order 
my  children,  that  so  they  may  be  the  subjects  of 
his  grace,  and  instruments  of  his  will !  "  If  you 
meditate  deeply  while  you  read,  perhaps  you  will 
conclude  that,  in  his  directions  to  this  mother,  our 
heavenly  Father  has  revealed  to  us  wonderful 
and  important  things,  which  may  answer  us 
instead  of  direct  communications  from  himself, 
and  which,  if  heeded  and  obeyed,  will  secure  to 
us  great  peace  and  satisfaction.  Bear  in  mind 
that  he  who  speaks  is  our  Creator,  —  that  all  the 
wonders  of  the  human  frame  are  perfectly  fa- 
miliar to  him,  and  that  he  knows  far  more  than 
earthly  skill  and  science  have  ever  been  able  to 
ascertain,  or  even  hint  at,  concerning  the  rela- 
tions which  himself  ordained.  He  comes  to 
Manoah's  wife  with  these  words  :  —  "  Now, 
therefore,  beware,  and  drink  not  wine  nor  strong 
drink,  and  eat  not  any  unclean  thing.  For,  lo  ! 


180  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

thou  shall  conceive  and  bear  a  son  ;  and  no  razor 
shall  come  on  his  head  :  for  the  child  shall  be  a 
Nazarite  unto  God  from  the  womb."  Can  you 
discern  in  this  only  an  allusion  to  Jewish  customs 
and  ceremonies,  long  since  obsolete,  and  in  no 
way  interesting  to  us,  except  as  a  matter  of  his- 
tory ?  Can  you  not  rather  see  gleaming  out  a 
golden  rule  which  all  would  be  blessed  in  follow- 
ing ?  To  us,  in  this  history,  Jehovah  says, 
"  Mother,  whatever  you  wish  your  child  to  be, 
that  must  you  also  in  all  respects  be  yourself." 
Samson  is  to  be  consecrated  to  God  by  the  most 
solemn  of  vows  all  the  days  of  his  life,  and  the 
conditions  of  that  vow  his  mother  is  commanded 
to  fulfil,  from  the  moment  that  she  is  conscious 
of  his  existence,  until  he  is  weaned,  a  period  of 
four  years  at  least,  according  to  the  custom  of 
her  time. 

These  thoughts  introduce  to  us  a  theme  on 
which  volumes  have  been  written  and  spoken. 
Men  of  deep  research  and  profound  judgment 
have  been  ready  to  say  to  all  the  parents  of  earth, 
"Whatever  ye  are,  such  will  also  your  children 
prove  always,  and  in  every  particular,  to  be  ;  " 


THE   MOTHER    OF   SAMSON.  181 

and  there  are  not  wanting  multitudes  of  facts  to 
strengthen  and  confirm  the  position.  In  certain 
aspects  of  it,  it  is  assuredly  true,  since  the  princi- 
pal characteristics  of  the  race  remain  from  age 
to  age  the  same.  Nor  is  it  disproved  by  what 
seem  at  first  adverse  facts ;  for  although  children 
seem  in  physical  and  intellectual  constitution 
often  the  direct  opposite  of  their  parents,  yet  a 
close  study  into  the  history  of  families  may  only 
prove,  that  if  unlike  those  parents  in  general 
character,  they  have  nevertheless  inherited  that 
particular  phase,  which  governed  the  period  from 
which  they  date  their  existence.  No  person 
bears  through  life  precisely  the  same  dispositions, 
or  is  at  all  times  equally  under  the  same  influ- 
ences, or  governed  by  the  same  motives.  The 
gentle  and  amiable  by  nature,  may  come  into  cir- 
cumstances which  shall  induce  unwonted  irrita- 
bility and  ill-humor ;  the  irascible  and  passionate, 
surrounded,  in  some  favored  time,  by  all  that 
heart  can  wish,  may  seem  as  lovely  as  though  no 
evil  tempers  had  ever  deformed  them  ;  and  the 
children  who  shall  be  the  offspring  of  these  epi- 
sodes in  life,  may  bear  indeed  a  character  differ- 
16 


182  THE   MOTHERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

ing  wholly  from  the  usual  character  of  their 
parents,  but  altogether  corresponding  to  the  brief 
and  unusual  state  which  ruled  their  hour  of  be- 
ginning life.  So  is  it  also  in  physical  constitu- 
tion. The  feeble  and  sickly  have  sometimes 
intervals  of  health,  and  the  robust  see  months  of 
languor  and  disease.  Hence,  perhaps,  the  dif- 
ferences which  are  observable  many  times  in  the 
children  of  the  same  family  with  regard  to  health 
and  natural  vigor. 

We  cannot  enter  into  the  subject.  It  is  wide 
and  extended  as  human  nature  itself.  It  is  also, 
apart  from  the  gospel  of  God's  grace,  a  very  dis- 
couraging subject  to  the  parent  who  contemplates 
it  with  seriousness,  and  with  an  earnest  desire  to 
ascertain  the  path  of  duty.  "  How  useless,"  we 
may  be  tempted  to  exclaim,  "  any  attempt  to 
gain  an  end  which  is  so  uncertain  as  the  securing 
any  given  constitution,  either  of  body  or  mind, 
for  my  children!  To-day  I  am  in  health,  full  of 
cheerfulness  and  hope  ;  a  year  hence  I  may  be 
broken  and  infirm,  a  prey  to  depressing  thoughts 
and  melancholy  forebodings.  My  mind  is  now 
vigorous  and  active  ;  who  knows  how  soon  the 


THE  MOTHER  OF  SAMSON.         183 

material  shall  subject  the  intellectual,  and  clog 
every  nobler  faculty  ?  What  will  it  suffice 
that  to-day  I  feel  myself  controlled  by  good  mo- 
tives, and  swayed  by  just  principles,  and  pos- 
sessed of  a  well-balanced  character,  since,  in 
some  evil  hour,  influences  wholly  unexpected 
may  gain  the  ascendency,  and  I  be  so  unlike  my 
present  self  that  pitying  friends  can  only  wonder 
and  whisper,  How  changed !  and  enemies  shall 
glory  in  my  fall  ?  No.  It  is  vain  to  strive  after 
certainty  in  this  world  of  change  and  vicissitude, 
since  none  of  us  can  tell  what  himself  shall  be  on 
the  morrow.  Do  what  I  will,  moreover,  my 
child  can  only  inherit  a  sinful  nature."  In  the 
midst  of  gloomy  thoughts  like  these,  we  turn  to 
the  story  of  Samson's  mother,  and  hear  Jehovah 
directing  her  to  walk  before  him  in  the  spirit  of 
consecration,  which  is  to  be  the  life-long  spirit  of 
her  son.  He  surely  intimates  that  the  child's 
character  begins  with,  and  depends  upon,  that  of 
the  mother.  A  ray  of  light  and  encouragement 
dawns  upon  us.  True,  we  are  fickle  and  change- 
able, and  subject  to  vicissitude  ;  but  he,  our  God, 
is  far  above  all  these  shifting  scenes,  and  all  the 


184  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

varying  circumstances  of  this  mortal  life  are  un- 
der his  control,  he  can  turn  the  hearts  of  men  as 
he  will ;  his  counsel  shall  stand.  True,  we  are 
transgressors  like  our  first  father,  partakers  of  his 
fallen  nature,  and  inheritors  ef  the  curse  ;  but 
"  where  sin  abounds  grace  does  much  more 
abound,"  and  "  Christ  hath  redeemed  us  from  the 
curse  of  the  law,  being  made  a  curse  for  us."  For 
all  the  evils  under  which  we  groan,  the  Gospel 
has  a  remedy,  and  we  have  faith  that  in  spite  of 
all  obstacles  and  difficulties,  our  Saviour  will  yet 
present  us,  as  individuals,  faultless  before  the 
throne.  Why  may  not  our  faith  take  a  still 
higher  flight  ?  There  are  given  to  us  exceeding 
great  and  precious  promises.  The  Holy  Spirit, 
first  of  all,  shall  be  given  to  all  who  ask.  They 
who  hunger  and  thirst  for  righteousness  shall  be 
filled.  He  has  never  said  to  the  seed  of  Jacob, 
seek  ye  me  in  vain.  There  are,  on  almost  every 
page  of  the  sacred  word,  these  precious  promises. 
By  them  you  are  encouraged  daily  in  your 
onward  struggle,  Christian  friend.  What  shall 
hinder  you  now  from  taking  them  to  your  heart 
as  a  mother  with  the  same  faith  ?  If  God  is  able 


THE   MOTHER    OF    SAMSON.  185 

to  secure  your  soul  against  all  evil  influences,  — 
yes,  even  against  the  arch  enemy  himself,  —  and  if 
he  has  made  the  character  of  your  child  to  depend 
upon  your  own  in  any  degree,  why  may  you  not 
plead  the  promises  of  his  word  with  double 
power,  when  your  prayers  ascend  not  merely  for 
yourself,  but  for  another  immortal  being  whom  he 
has  so  intimately  associated  with  you  ?  You  are 
accustomed  daily  to  seek  from  him  holy  influ- 
ences ;  you  pray  that  you  may  grow  in  grace  and 
knowledge,  and  be  kept  from  the  evil  that  is  in 
the  world,  and  from  dishonoring  your  Saviour. 
Can  you  not  offer  these  same  petitions  as  a 
mother,  and  beg  all  these  blessings  on  behalf  of 
your  child,  who  is  to  take  character  from  you  ? 
Can  you  not  consecrate  yourself  in  a  peculiarly 
solemn  manner  to  the  Lord,  and,  viewing  the 
thousand  influences  which  may  affect  you,  pray 
to  be  kept  from  all  which  would  be  adverse  to 
the  best  good  of  the  precious  soul  to  be  intrusted 
to  you ;  and  believe,  by  all  you  know  of  your 
heavenly  Father,  and  of  his  plan  of  grace,  that 
you  will  be  accepted  and  your  petitions  answered  1 
And  then  can  you  not  act  upon  that  faith  ?  De- 
16* 


186  THE   MOTHERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

siring  your  child  to  be  a  man  of  prayer,  will  you 
not,  during  the  years  in  which  you  are  acting 
directly  on  him,  give  yourself  much  to  prayer  ? 
Hoping  that  he  may  not  be  slothful,  but  an  active 
and  diligent  servant  of  his  Lord,  will  you  not 
give  your  earnest  soul  and  busy  hands  to  the 
work  which  you  find  to  do  ?  Wishing  him  to  be 
gentle  and  lovely,  will  you  not  strive  to  clothe 
yourself  with  meekness  ?  In  short,  will  you  not 
cultivate  every  characteristic  that  is  desirable  for 
the  devoted  Christian,  in  order,  that,  at  least, 
your  child  may  enter  on  life  with  every  possible 
advantage  which  you  can  give  him  ?  And  since 
a  sane  mind,  and  rightly-moving  heart,  are 
greatly  dependent  on  a  sound  body,  will  you  not 
study  to  be  yourself,  by  temperance  and  modera- 
tion, and  self-denial  and  activity,  in  the  most 
perfect  health  which  you  can  by  any  effort  gain  ? 

Who  does  not  believe  that  if  all  Christian 
mothers  would  thus  believe  and  act,  most  blessed 
results  would  be  secured  ?  The  subject  appeals 
to  fathers  also,  and  equal  responsibility  rests 
upon  them. 

Some  will  doubtless  be  ready  to  say,  "This 


THE   MOTHER   OP    SAMSON.  187 

would  require  us  to  live  in  the  spirit  a  Nazarite's 
vow  all  the  time.  You  have  drawn  for  us  a  plan 
of  life  which  is  difficult  to  follow,  and  demands 
all  our  vigilance,  constant  striving,  and  unwearied 
labors."  True,  friends  ;  but  the  end  to  be  gained 
is  worth  the  cost,  and  you  have  "  God  all-suffi- 
cient" for  your  helper. 


RIZPAH. 

IN  order  fully  to  understand  the  subject  of  our 
present  study,  we  must  return  upon  the  track,  to 
the  days  of  Joshua,  before  Israel  had  wholly 
entered  upon  the  possession  of  the  promised  land. 
The  tribes  were  encamped  at  Gilgal  to  keep  the 
passover,  and  from  thence,  by  the  direction  of 
Jehovah,  they  made  incursions  upon  the  surround- 
ing inhabitants.  Jericho  and  Ai  had  been  taken, 
and  the  fear  of  these  formidable  Hebrews,  and 
their  mighty  God,  had  fallen  upon  the  hearts  of 
the  nations  and  stricken  them  almost  to  hopeless- 
ness. Feeling  that  a  last  effort  to  save  them- 
selves and  their  homes  must  be  made,  they  banded 
together,  and  resolved  to  defend  their  rights,  and 
to  put  to  proof  the  combined  power  of  their 
deities.  One  clan,  however,  despairing  of  suc- 
cess by  any  such  means,  having  heard  that  the 
utter  extirpation  of  the  Canaanites  was  determined 
upon,  resorted  to  stratagem,  and  thus  secured 
their  safety  in  the  midst  of  the  general  ruin. 


RIZPAH.  180 

"  They  did  work  wilily,"  says  the  sacred  record, 
"  and  made  as  if  they  had  been  ambassadors,  and 
took  old  sacks  upon  their  asses,  and  wine  bottles 
old,  and  rent,  and  bound  up  ;  and  old  shoes  and 
clouted  upon  their  feet,  and  old  garments  upon 
them ;  and  all  the  bread  of  their  provision  was 
dry  and  mouldy.  And  they  went  to  Joshua  unto 
the  camp  at  Gilgal,  and  said  unto  him,  and  to  the 
men  of  Israel,  We  be  come  from  a  far  country, 
now  therefore  make  ye  a  league  with  us."  At 
first  the  Israelites  seem  to  have  suspected  trick- 
ery ;  but  when  the  supposed  ambassadors  produced 
their  mouldy  bread,  and  declared  that  it  was 
taken  hot  from  the  oven  on  the  morning  of  their 
departure  from  their  own  country  ;  and  that  their 
wine  bottles  were  new,  now  so  shrunk  and  torn  ; 
and  pointed  to  their  shoes  and  garments,  quite 
worn  out  by  the  length  of  the  journey  ;  and  told 
their  pitiful  story  ;  and  in  their  humility  stooped 
to  any  terms  if  they  might  only  be  permitted  to 
make  a  covenant ;  Joshua  and  his  elders  were 
completely  deceived,  and,  without  stopping  to  ask 
counsel  of  the  Lord,  "  they  made  peace  with  them, 
and  made  a  league  with  them  to  let  them  live." 


190  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

The  Lord  abhors  treachery,  and  although  his 
people  had  greatly  erred  in  this  act,  and  although 
these  Hivites  were  among  the  nations  whom  he 
had  commanded  them  to  destroy,  yet,  since  a  cov- 
enant had  been  made  with  them,  it  must  be  kept 
on  peril  of  his  stern  displeasure  and  severe  judg- 
ments. Only  three  days  elapsed  before  the  Israel- 
ites discovered  that  the  crafty  ambassadors  were 
their  near  neighbors,  and  were  called  upon  to 
come  to  their  defence  against  the  other  inhabitants 
of  the  land,  who,  having  heard  of  the  transaction 
at  Gilgal,  had  gathered  together  to  smite  their 
principal  city,  Gibeon,  and  destroy  them  because 
they  had  made  peace  with  Joshua.  Before  the 
walls  of  that  mighty  city,  and  in  behalf  of  these 
idolaters,  because  Jehovah  would  have  his  people 
keep  faith  with  those  to  whom  they  had  vowed, 
was  fought  that  memorable  battle,  the  like  of 
which  was  never  known  before  or  since,  when,  to 
aid  the  cause,  the  laws  of  Nature  were  suspended 
upon  human  intercession  —  when  Joshua  said, 
"  Sun,  stand  thou  still  upon  Gibeon,  and  thou, 
moon,  in  the  valley  of  Ajalon."  "  So  the  sun 


RIZPAH.  191 

stood  still  in  the  midst  of  heaven,  and  hasted  not 
to  go  down  about  a  whole  day." 

The  tribes  gained  their  inheritance,  and  their 
enemies  were  mostly  driven  out  of  the  land,  but 
in  their  midst  ever  dwelt  the  Gibeonites,  safe  from 
molestation,  though  the  menial  services  of  the 
tabernacle  were  performed  by  them,  because  of 
the  deceit  by  which  they  purchased  their  lives, 
and  they  were  contented  to  be  thus  reduced  to 
perpetual  bondage,  so  they  might  escape  the  doom 
of  their  neighbors. 

Years  passed  on,  and  vicissitudes  came  to  the 
Israelites  of  one  kind  and  another.  Sometimes 
they  were  victorious  in  their  battles  and  peaceful 
among  themselves  ;  and,  again,  they  fled  before 
enemies  or  were  embroiled  in  civil  dissensions. 
Ever,  above,  caring  for  them,  and  bringing  them 
safely  on  through  all, —  instructing,  guiding,  and 
disciplining, — sat  on  his  throne,  their  mighty  invis- 
ible King.  They  demanded  an  earthly  monarch, 
and  in  judgment  he  granted  their  desire.  In 
judgment,  and  miserable  in  many  ways,  were  the 
results  of  his  reign.  f  Among  his  other  evil  acts 
not  recorded,  but  alluded  to  in  the  history,  was 


192  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

one  of  cruel  treachery  to  the  Gibeonites.  "  It 
would  seem  that  Saul  viewed  their  possessions 
with  a  covetous  eye,  as  affording  him  the  means 
of  rewarding  his  adherents,  and  of  enriching  his 
family,  and  hence,  on  some  pretence  or  other,  or 
without  any  pretence,  he  slew  large  numbers  of 
them,  and  doubtless  seized  their  possessions."  In 
this  wicked  deed  we  gather  that  many  of  the 
Israelites,  and  the  members  of  Saul's  family  in 
particular,  had  an  active  share,  and  were  benefited 
by  the  spoils.  The  Almighty  beheld  and  took 
cognizance,  but  no  immediate  retribution  followed. 
Towards  the  close  of  David's  reign,  however, 
for  some  unknown  reason,  the  whole  land  was 
visited  with  a  famine.  Month  after  month  it 
stalked  abroad,  and  year  after  year,  until  three 
years  of  want  had  afflicted  the  chosen  people. 
At  the  end  of  that  time,  David,  having  resorted 
to  all  possible  means  of  providing  food  in  vain, 
began  to  reflect  that  there  was  meaning  in  the 
visitation,  and  "  sought  the  face  of  the  Lord,"  to 
inquire  why  he  was  displeased  with  his  people. 
The  answer  was  explicit  an(J  terrible.  "  It  is  for 
Saul  and  his  bloody  house,  because  he  slew  the 


RIZPAH.  193 

Gibeonites."  Though  men  forget,  the  Lord  does 
not.  He  will  plead  the  cause  of  the  oppressed 
sooner  or  later,  and  though  his  vengeance  sleep 
long,  yet  will  he  reward,  to  those  that  deal  treach- 
ery, seven-fold  sorrow. 

Driven  by  famine,  and  by  the  expressed  will  of 
Jehovah,  David  sent  to  ask  of  the  injured  people 
what  should  be  done  to  satisfy  their  sense  of 
justice.  "And  the  Gibeonites  said  unto  him, 
We  will  have  no  silver  nor  gold  of  Saul,  nor  of 
his  house,  neither  for  us  shalt  thou  kill  any  man 
in  Israel.  The  man  that  consumed  us,  and  that 
devised  against  us  that  we  should  be  destroyed 
from  remaining  in  any  of  the  coasts  of  Israel, 
let  seven  men  of  his  sons  be  delivered  unto 
us,  and  we  will  hang  them  up  unto  the  Lord  in 
Gibeah  of  Saul.  Arid  the  king  said,  I  will  give 
them." 

Dreadful  days  of  blood  !  Fearful  fiat !  which 
though  needful  and  just,  yet  invaded  the  sanctu- 
ary of  home  so  gloomily.  Sad  world !  in  which 
the  innocent  so  often  bear  the  sins  of  the  guilty, 
—  when  will  thy  groans,  ever  ascending  into  the 
ears  of  Almighty  love,  be  heard,  and  bring  release  ? 
17 


194  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

The  sentence  was  executed.  Two  sons  of  Saul 
by  Rizpah,  his  inferior  wife,  and  five  of  Merab 
his  eldest  daughter,  were  delivered  up  and  hung 
by  the  Gibeonites. 

Who  can  imagine,  much  less  portray,  the 
mother's  anguish  when  her  noble  sons  were  torn 
from  her  for  such  a  doom !  We  do  not  know 
whether  Merab  was  living  to  see  that  day  of  hor- 
ror, but  Rizpah  felt  the  full  force  of  the  blow 
which  blasted  all  her  hopes.  Her  husband,  the 
father  of  her  sons,  had  gone  forth  to  battle,  and 
returned  no  more  ;  her  days  of  happiness  and 
security  had  departed  with  his  life,  and  now,  all 
that  remained  of  comfort,  her  precious  children, 
must  be  put  to  a  cruel  death  to  satisfy  the  ven- 
geance due  to  crimes  not  hers  nor  theirs.  Wretched 
mother  !  a  bitter  lot  indeed  was  thine.  But  the 
Lord  had  spoken,  and  there  was  no  reprieve.  To 
the  very  town  where  they  had  all  dwelt  under 
their  father's  roof,  were  these  hapless  ones  dragged, 
and  their  bodies  ignoiniuiously  exposed  upon  the 
wall  until  they  should  waste  away  ;  a  custom 
utterly  abhorrent  to  all  humanity,  and  especially 
to  the  Hebrews,  whose  strongest  desire  might  be 


RIZPAH.  195 

expressed  in  the  words  of  the  aged  Barzillai, 
"  Let  me  die  in  mine  own  city,  and  be  buried  by 
the  grave  of  my  father  and  mother." 

Behold  now  that  lone  and  heart-broken  mother, 
on  the  spot  where  day  and  night,  week  after  week, 
and  month  after  month,  she  may  be  found. 
Neither  heat  nor  cold,  distressing  days  nor  fear- 
ful nights,  the  entreaties  of  friends,  nor  the 
weariness  of  watching,  nor  the  horrifying  exhibi- 
tion of  decaying  humanity,  could  drive  her  from 
her  post.  Upon  the  sackcloth,  which  she  had 
spread  for  herself  upon  the  rock,  she  remained 
"  from  the  beginning  of  the  harvest  until  the  rain 
dropped  upon  them  out  of  heaven,"  and  suffered 
neither  the  birds  of  the  air  by  day,  nor  the  beasts 
of  the  field  by  night,  to  molest  those  precious 
remains.  0,  mother's  heart !  of  what  heroism 
art  thou  capable !  Before  a  scene  like  this,  the 
bravest  exploits  of  earth's  proudest  heroes  fade 
into  dim  insignificance.  At  this  picture  we  can 
only  gaze.  Words  wholly  fail  when  we  would 
comment  on  it.  Of  the  agonies  it  reveals  we  can- 
not speak.  There  are  lessons  to  be  learned  from 
it,  and  upon  them  we  can  ponder 


196  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE 

The  value  which  the  Lord  our  God  sets  upon 
truth  is  here  displayed.  He  will  have  no  swerv- 
ing from  the  straight  path  of  perfect  fidelity  to  all 
engagements  and  covenants.  Severe  and  awful 
appears  his  character  as  thus  presented  to  us,  and 
yet  it  is  upon  this  very  attribute  that  all  our  hopes 
rely.  "  He  is  not  a  man  that  he  should  lie,  nor 
the  son  of  man  that  he  should  repent."  If  he 
thus  defends  those  who  love  him  not,  how  safe 
and  happy  may  his  children  rest ! 

The  days  in  which  Rizpah  lived  were  dark  and 
gloomy  days.  The  words  of  Samuel  to  Agag 
may  stand  as  their  memorial :  * '  As  thy  sword  hath 
made  women  childless,  so  shall  thy  mother  be 
childless  among  women."  Let  us  be  thankful 
that  we  see  no  such  direful  scenes,  and  let  us  act 
worthy  of  our  higher  lot.  Let  us  remember,  also, 
that  there  is  a  destruction  of  life  more  terrible 
even  than  that  which  Rizpah  witnessed  —  the  de- 
struction of  the  soul.  If  the  mother's  love  within 
us  prompts  us  to  half  the  care  of  the  spiritual 
life  of  our  children,  which  she  bestowed  on  the 
decaying  forms  of  her  loved  ones,  He  who 


RIZPAH.  197 

rewards  faithfulness  will  not  suffer  us  to  labor 
in  vain. 

HEAR  what  the  desolate  Rizpah  said, 
As  on  Gibeah's  rocks  she  watehed  the  dead. 
The  eons  of  Michal  before  her  lay, 
And  her  own  fair  children,  dearer  than  they : 
By  a  death  of  shame  they  all  had  died, 
And  were  stretched  on  the  bare  rock,  side  by  side. 
And  Rizpah,  once  the  loveliest  of  all 
That  bloomed  and  smiled  in  the  court  of  Saul, 
All  wasted  with  watching  and  famine  now, 
And  scorched  by  the  sun  her  haggard  brow, 
Sat  mournfully  guarding  their  corpses  there, 
And  murmured  a  strange  and  solemn  air ; 
The  low,  heart-broken,  and  wailing  strain 
Of  a  mother  that  mourns  her  children  slain  : 

"  I  have  made  the  crags  my  home,  and  spread 
On  their  desert  backs  my  sackcloth  bed ; 
I  have  eaten  the  bitter  herb  of  the  rocks, 
And  drunk  the  midnight  dew  in  my  locks ; 
I  have  wept  till  I  could  not  weep,  and  the  pain 
Of  my  burning  eye-balls  went  to  my  brain. 
Seven  blackened  corpses  before  me  lie, 
In  the  blaze  of  the  sun  and  the  winds  of  the  sky. 
I  have  watched  them  through  the  burning  day, 
And  driven  the  vulture  and  raven  away  ; 
And  the  cormorant  wheeled  in  circles  round, 
Yet  feared  to  alight  on  the  guarded  ground. 

17* 


198  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

And  when  the  shadows  of  twilight  came, 
I  have  seen  the  hyena's  eyes  of  flame, 
And  heard  at  my  side  his  stealthy  tread, 
But  aye  at  my  shout  the  savage  fled  : 
And  I  threw  the  lighted  brand  to  fright 
The  jackal  and  wolf  that  yelled  in  the  night. 

"  Ye  were  foully  murdered,  my  hapless  sons, 
By  the  hands  of  wicked  and  cruel  ones  ; 
Ye  fell,  in  your  fresh  and  blooming  prime, 
All  innocent,  for  your  father's  crime. 
He  sinned  — but  he  paid  the  price  of  his  guilt 
When  his  blood  by  a  nameless  hand  was  spilt ; 
When  he  strove  with  the  heathen  host  in  vain, 
And  fell  with  the  flower  of  hia  people  slain, 
And  the  sceptre  his  children's  hands  should  sway 
From  his  injured  lineage  passed  away. 

"  But  I  hoped  that  the  cottage  roof  would  be 
A  safe  retreat  for  my  sons  and  me  ; 
And  that  while  they  ripened  to  manhood  fast, 
They  should  wean  my  thoughts  from  the  woes  of  tlie  past. 
And  my  bosom  swelled  with  a  mother's  pride, 
As  they  stood  in  their  beauty  and  strength  by  my  side, 
Tall  like  their  sire,  with  the  princely  grace 
Of  his  stately  form,  and  the  bloom  of  his  face. 

"0,  what  an  hour  for  a  mother's  heart, 
When  the  pitiless  ruffians  tore  us  apart ! 
When  I  clasped  their  knees  and  wept  and  prayed 
And  struggled  and  shrieked  to  Heaven  for  aid, 


RIZPAH.  199 

And  clung  to  my  eons  with  desperate  strength, 
Till  the  murderers  loosed  my  hold  at  length, 
And  bore  me  breathless  and  faint  aside, 
In  their  iron  arms,  while  my  children  died. 
They  died  —  and  the  mother  that  gave  them  birth 
Is  forbid  to  cover  their  bones  with  earth. 

"  The  barley-harvest  was  nodding  white, 
When  my  children  died  on  the  rocky  height, 
And  the  reapers  were  singing  on  hill  and  plain, 
When  I  came  to  my  task  of  sorrow  and  pain. 
But  now  the  season  of  rain  is  nigh, 
The  sun  is  dim  in  the  thickening  sky, 
And  the  clouds  in  sullen  darkness  rest 
Where  he  hides  his  light  at  the  doors  of  the  west. 
I  hear  the  howl  of  the  wind  that  brings 
The  long  drear  storm  on  its  heavy  wings ; 
But  the  howling  wind  and  the  driving  rain 
Will  beat  on  my  houseless  head  in  vain : 
I  shall  stay,  from  my  murdered  sons  to  scare 
The  beasts  of  the  desert,  and  fowls  of  air." 

BRYANT. 


BATHSHEBA. 

A  SUMMONS  from  the  king !  What  can  it 
mean  ?  What  can  he  know  of  her  ?  She  is, 
indeed,  the  wife  of  one  of  his  "mighty  men;" 
but  though  he  highly  esteems  her  husband,  he 
can  have  no  interest  in  her.  She  meditates. 
Her  cheek  pales.  Can  he  have  heard  evil  tid- 
ings from  the  distant  city  of  the  Ammonites,  and 
would  he  break  kindly  to  her  news  of  her  hus- 
band's death  ?  It  cannot  be.  Why  should  he 
do  this  for  her  more  than  for  hundreds  of  others 
in  like  trouble  ?  Again  she  ponders,  and  now  a 
crimson  hue  mounts  to  her  temples  —  her  fatal 
beauty !  Away  with  the  thought !  it  is  shame 
to  dwell  upon  it :  would  she  wrong  by  so  foul 
a  suspicion  the  Lord's  anointed  ?  She  wearies 
herself  with  surmises,  and  all  in  vain.  But 
there  is  the  command,  and  she  must  be  gone. 
The  king's  will  is  absolute.  Whatever  that 
summons  imports,  "dumb  acquiescence"  is  her 


BATHSHEBA.  201 

only  part.     She  goes  forth  in  her  youth,  beauty, 

and  happiness.     She  returns  — 

***** 

Weeks  pass,  and  behold  another  message ;  but 
this  time  it  is  the  king  who  receives,  and  Bath- 
sheba  who  sends.  What  is  signified  in  those 
few  words  from  a  woman's  hand,  that  can  so 
unnerve  him  who  "has  his  ten  thousands  slain"  ? 
It  is  now  his  turn  to  tremble  and  look  pate.  Yet 
a  little  while,  and  he,  —  the  man  after  God's  own 
heart,  the  chosen  ruler  of  his  people,  the  idol 
of  the  nation,  —  shall  be  proclaimed  guilty  of 
a  heinous  and  abominable  crime,  and  shall, 
according  to  the  laws  of  the  land,  be  subject- 
ed to  an  ignominous  death.  He  ponders  now. 
Would  he  had  thought  of  all  this  before  !  but  it 
is  too  late.  The  consequences  of  his  ungoverned 
passion  stare  him  in  the  face  and  well-nigh  over- 
whelm him.  Something  must  be  done,  and  that 
speedily.  Pie  cannot  have  it  thus.  He  has 
begun  to  fall,  and  the  enemy  of  souls  is,  as  ever, 
at  hand  to  suggest  the  second  false  and  ruinous 
step. 


202  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

Another  summons.  A  messenger  from  the 
king  to  Joab.  "  Send  me  Uriah  the  Hittite." 
It  is  peremptory  ;  no  reasons  are  given,  and  Joab 
does  as  he  is  bidden.  Unsuspecting  as  loyal, 
Uriah  hastens  on  his  way,  mindful  only  of  duty, 
and  is  soon  in  the  presence  of  his  royal  master, 
who,  always  kind,  is  now  remarkably  attentive 
to  his  wants  and  thoughtful  of  his  interests.  He 
inquires  for  the  commander  of  his  forces,  and  of 
the  war,  and  how  the  people  fare,  and  it  would 
almost  seem  had  recalled  him  only  to  speak  kind- 
ly to  him,  and  manifest  his  regard  for  the  army, 
though  he  had  not  himself  led  them  to  battle. 

But,  though  unsuspecting  and  deceived,  the 
high-minded  and  faithful  soldier  cannot  even  un- 
wittingly be  made  to  answer  the  end  for  which 
he  has  been  summoned,  and  after  two  days  he 
returns  to  Joab,  bearing  a  letter,  of  whose  terri- 
ble contents  he  little  dreams,  and  is  happy  in  his 
ignorance. 

Meantime  Bathsheba  has  heard  of  his  arrival 
in  Jerusalem,  and  is  momentarily  expecting  his 
appearance.  Alas,  that  she  '  should  dread  his 
coming !  Alas,  that  she  should  shudder  at  every 


BATHSHEBA.  203 

sound  of  approaching  footsteps  !  How  fearful  is 
the  change  which  has  come  over  her  since  last 
she  looked  on  his  loved  face !  He  is  her  husband 
still,  and  she  —  she  is  his  lawful,  loving  wife. 
Never  was  he  so  dear  to  her  as  now  Never  did 
his  noble  character  so  win  her  admiration,  as  she 
contemplates  all  the  scenes  of  her  wedded  life, 
and  reviews  the  evidences  of  it  in  the  past. 
How  happy  they  have  been !  What  bliss  has 
been  hers  in  the  enjoyment  of  his  esteem  and 
affection !  She  is  even  now  to  him,  in  his  ab- 
sence, the  one  object  of  tender  regard  and  con- 
stant thought.  She  knows  how  fondly  he  dwells 
on  her  love,  and  how  precious  to  him  is  the 
beauty  which  first  won  him  to  her  side.  She  is 
the  "  ewe  lamb  which  he  has  nourished,  which 
has  drank  from  his  own  cup  and  lain  in  his 
bosom;"  she  is  his  all.  He  has  been  long 
away  ;  the  dangers  of  the  battle-field  have  sur- 
rounded him,  and  now  he  is  returned,  alive,  well; 
her  heart  bounds  ;  she  cannot  wait  till  she  shall 
see  him ;  yet  how  can  she  meet  him  ?  Ah ! 
fatal  remembrance,  how  bitterly  it  has  recalled 
her  from  her  vision  of  delight !  It  is  not  true  ! 


204  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

It  cannot  be  true !  it  is  but  a  horrible  dream ! 
Her  heart  is  true.  She  would  at  any  moment 
have  died  for  him.  The  entire  devotion  of  her 
warm  nature  is  his.  She  had  no  willing  part  in 
that  revolting  crime.  0  !  must  she  suffer  as  if 
she  had  been  an  unfaithful  wife  ?  Must  she  en- 
dure the  anguish  of  seeing  him  turn  coldly 
from  her  in  some  future  day  ?  Must  she  now 
meet  him,  and  have  all  her  joy  marred  by  that 
hateful  secret  ?  Must  she  take  part  in  deceiving 
him,  in  imposing  upon  him,  —  him,  her  noble, 
magnanimous,  pure-minded  husband  ?  0,  wretch- 
ed one !  was  ever  sorrow  like  hers  ? 

The  day  passes,  and  the  night,  and  he  comes 
not.  Can  he  have  suspected  the  truth  ?  Slowly 
the  tedious  hours  go  by,  while  she  endures  the 
racking  tortures  of  suspense.  The  third  day 
dawns,  and  with  it  come  tidings  that  he  has 
returned  to  Rabbah,  and  his  words  of  whole- 
souled  devotion  to  his  duty  and  his  God  are 
repeated  in  her  ears.  —  Faint  not  yet,  strong 

heart ;  a  far  more  bitter  cup  is  in  store  for  thee. 

***** 

Bathsheba  is  again  a  wife,  the  wife  of  a  king, 


J 

BATHSIIEBA.  205 

and  in  her  arms  lies  her  first-born  son.  Terrible 
was  the  tempest  which  burst  over  her  head,  and 
her  heart  will  never  again  know  aught  of  the 
serene,  untroubled  happiness  which  once  she 
knew.  The  storm  has  indeed  lulled,  but  she 
sees  the  clouds  gathering  new  blackness,  and  her 
stricken  spirit  shrinks  and  faints  with  foreboding 
fears.  The  little,  innocent  being  which  she  holds 
fondly  to  her  bosom,  which  seemed  sent  from 
Heaven  to  heal  her  wounds,  lies  panting  in  the 
grasp  of  fierce  disease.  She  has  sent  for  the 
king,  and  together  they  look  upon  the  suffering 
one.  Full  well  he  knows,  that  miserable  man, 
what  mean  those  moans  and  piteous  signs  of  dis- 
tress, and  what  they  betoken.  He  gazes  on  the 
wan,  anguished  features  of  his  wife,  as  she  bends 
over  her  child  ;  his  thoughts  revert  hurriedly  to 
her  surpassing  beauty  when  first  he  saw  her ;  a 
vision  of  the  murdered  Uriah  flits  before  him  ; 
the  three  victims  of  his  guilt,  and  the  message 
of  Nathan,  which  he  has  just  received  —  the  stern 
words,  "  Thou  art  the  man," — bring  a  full  and 
realizing  sense  of  the  depth  to  which  he  has 
fallen  ;  and,  overwhelmed  with  remorse  and 
18 


206  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

wretchedness,  he  leaves  the  chamber  to  give  vent 
to  his  grief,  to  fast,  and  weep,  and  pray,  in  the 
vain  hope  of  averting  the  threatened  judgment. 

Seven  days  of  alternate  hope  and  fear,  of 
watching  and  care,  have  fled,  and  Bathsheba  is 
childless.  Another  wave  has  rolled  over  her. 
God  grant  it  be  the  last !  Surely  she  has  drained 
the  cup  of  sorrow.  She  sits  solitary  and  sad, 
bowed  down  with  her  weight  of  woes,  her 
thoughts  following  ever  the  same  weary  track  ; 
direful  images  present  to  her  imagination ;  her 
frame  racked  and  trembling ;  the  heavens  clothed 
in  sackcloth,  and  life  forever  divested  of  happi- 
ness and  delight.  The  king  enters,  and  seats 
himself  beside  her.  And  if  Bathsheba  is 
changed,  David  is  also  from  henceforth  an 
altered  man.  "  Broken  in  spirit  by  the  con- 
sciousness of  his  deep  sinfulness  humbled  ;  in  the 
eyes  of  his  subjects,  and  his  influence  with  them 
weakened  by  their  knowledge  of  his  crimes ;  even 
his  authority  in  his  own  household,  and  his  claim 
to  the  reverence  of  his  sons,  relaxed  by  his  loss 
of  character  ;"  filled  also  with  fearful  anticipa- 
tions of  the  future,  which  is  shadowed  by  the 


BATIISHEBA.  207 

dark  prophecy  of  Nathan ;  he  is  from  this  time 
wholly  unlike  what  he  has  been  in  former  days. 
"  The  balance  of  his  character  is  broken.  Still 
he  is  pious ;  but  even  his  piety  takes  an  altered 
aspect.  Alas  for  him !  The  bird  which  once 
rose  to  heights  unattained  before  by  mortal  pin- 
ion, filling  the  air  with  its  joyful  songs,  now  lies 
with  maimed  wing  upon  the  ground,  pouring 
forth  its  doleful  cries  to  God."  He  has  scarcely 
begun  to  descend  the  declivity  of  life,  yet  he 
appears  infirm  and  old.  He  is  as  one  who  goes 
down  to  the  grave  mourning.  Thus  does  he 
seem  to  Bathsheba  as  he  sits  before  her.  But 
there  is  more  in  David,  thus  humble,  contrite, 
and  smitten,  to  win  her  sympathy,  and  even  love, 
than  there  was  in  David  the  absolute,  and,  so  far 
as  she  was  concerned,  tyrannical  monarch,  though 
surrounded  with  splendors,  the  favorite  of  God 
and  man.  A  few  days  since,  had  he  essayed  the 
part  of  comforter,  she  would  have  felt  her  heart 
revolt ;  but  now,  repentant  and  forgiven,  though 
not  unpunished  by  Jehovah,  she  can  listen  with- 
out bitterness  while  he  speaks  of  the  mercy  of 
the  Lord  which  has  suffered  them  both  to  live, 


208  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

though  the  law  could  have  required  their  death, 

and  which  sustains  even  while  it  chastises. 

***** 

Another  message — by  the  hand  of  the  prophet 
to  David  and  Bathsheba  —  a  message  of  peace 
and  tender  consideration,  a  name  for  their  new- 
born child,  the  gift  to  them  from  his  own  hand. 
"  Call  him  Jedediah  —  beloved  of  the  Lord." 

"  0  the  depth  of  the  riches  both  of  the  wis- 
dom and  knowledge  of  God  !  How  unsearchable 
are  his  judgments  and  his  ways  past  rinding  out ! " 
In  his  dealings  with  his  sinful  children,  how  far 
are  his  ways  above  the  ways  of  men !  "As  the 
heaven  is  high  above  the  earth,  so  great  is  his 
mercy  towards  them  that  fear  him."  He  deal- 
eth  not  with  them  after  their  sins  ;  he  rewardeth 
them  not  according  to  their  iniquities ;  but,  know- 
ing their  frame,  remembering  that  they  are  dust, 
that  a  breath  of  temptation  will  carry  them  away, 
pitying  them  with  a  most  tender  compassion,  he 
deals  with  them  according  to  the  everlasting,  and 
abounding,  and  long-suffering  love  of  his  own 
mighty  heart.  Whenever  those  who  have  known 
him  best,  to  whom  he  has  manifested  his  grace 


BATIISIIEBA.  209 

most  richly,  whom  he  has  blessed  with  most 
abundant  privileges,  fall,  in  some  evil  hour,  and 
without  reason,  upo.n  the  slightest  cause,  bring 
dishonor  on  his  name,  and  give  occasion  to  his 
enemies  to  blaspheme,  and  incur  his  just  judg- 
ment, behold  how  he  treats  them.  Upon  the 
first  sign  of  contrition,  the  first  acknowledgment 
"  I  have  sinned,"  how  prompt,  how  free,  how 
full  is  the  response,  "  The  Lord  also  hath  put 
away  thy  sin  ;  thou  shalt  not  die  !  "  No  linger- 
ing resentment,  no  selfish  reminding  of  his 
wounded  honor,  no  thoughts  but  of  love,  warm, 
tender,  self-forgetting  love  and  pity  for  his 
sorrowing  child.  Even  when  he  must  resort  to 
chastisement,  "his  strange  work,"  —  when  he 
must,  for  his  great  name's  sake,  raise  up  for 
David  evil  out  of  his  own  house  ;  when  he  must, 
before  the  sun,  and  before  all  Israel,  show  his 
displeasure  at  sin ;  with  one  hand  he  applies  the 
rod,  and  with  the  other  pours  into  the  bleeding 
heart  the  balm  of  consolation,  so  pure,  so  free, 
that  his  children  almost  feel  that  they  could  never 
have  understood  his  goodness  but  for  the  need  of 
his  severity.  When,  notwithstanding  the  earnest 
18* 


210  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

prayer  of  the  father,  he  smites  the  child  of  his 
shame,  how  soon  does  he  return  with  a  better 
gift,  —  a  son  of  peace,  who  shall  remind  him 
only  of  days  of  contrition  and  the  favor  of  God, 
—  a  Jedediah,  who  shall  ever  be  a  daily  witness 
to  his  forgiving  love ! 

And  to  those  who  suffer  innocently  from  the 
crimes  of  others,  how  tender  are  the  compassions 
of  our  heavenly  Father !  To  the  injured,  afflict- 
ed Bathsheba  is  given  the  honor  of  being  the 
mother  of  Israel's  wisest,  most  mighty,  and  re- 
nowned king;  and  she  is  —  by  father  and  son,  by 
the  prophet  of  the  Lord,  by  the  aspirant  to  the 
throne,  and  by  all  around  her  —  ever  approached 
with  that  deference  and  confidence  which  her 
truly  dignified  character  and  gentle  virtues,  not 
less  than  her  high  station,  demand.  And  while 
not  a  word  of  reproach  is  permitted  to  be  left  on 
record  against  her  —  on  that  monument  of  which 
we  have  before  spoken,  among  mighty  and 
worthy  names,  destined  to  stand  when  many 
of  earth's  wisest  and  greatest  are  forgotten, 
with  the  progenitors  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour, 
is  inscribed  hers  "  who  was  the  wife  of  Urias." 


ABIGAIL. 

"  PROVIDENCE  is  the  light  of  history  and  the 
soul  of  the  world."  All  times,  all  nations,  all 
events  are  illumined  by  this  light,  and  animated 
by  this  soul.  Ceaselessly  employed,  forming 
fresh  combinations,  presenting  new  views,  bring- 
ing about  perpetually  changing  relations,  all  for  the 
highest  and  noblest  ends,  Providence  furnishes, 
even  in  its  apparently  trivial  operations,  a  study 
most  delightful  and  profound.  When  the  ever- 
shifting  drama  descends,  from  the  arena  on 
which  nations  are  the  actors,  to  the  humble 
sphere  of  private  life,  and  presents  only  individ- 
ual history,  the  every-day  incidents  of  mortality, 
the  conflicts,  the  hopes  and  fears,  and  discipline, 
through  which  one  immortal  soul  may  pass  in  its 
upward  journey,  still  it  is  often  of  intense  inter- 
est, and  brings  forth  in  its  progress  mighty  and 
stirring  issues.  It  links  together  in  strange  bonds 
the  destinies  of  prince  and  peasant,  of  noble  and 
unrefined,  and  unites  the  present  to  the  future  by 


212  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

subtle  and  almost  undistinguishable  threads  of  in- 
terest and  connection.  Providence,  in  this  world 
of  sinners,  works  hand  in  hand  with  grace  to  re- 
store fallen  man  to  the  lost  image  of  his  Maker, 
and,  in  accomplishing  the  mighty  task,  lays  hold 
on  all  available  things,  and  puts  to  its  utmost  use 
every  circumstance  and  incident  of  life.  "NVith 
all-pervading  energy  it  is  found  presiding  over 
the  passions,  and  prejudices,  and  affections  of  hu- 
manity, and  pressing  into  its  service  the  natural 
affinities  and  instincts  of  our  nature,  causing  all 
to  work  more  or  less  harmoniously  toward  the  one 
glorious  result.  "  Matches  are  made  in  heaven," 
says  an  old  adage  ;  and  the  holy  word  assures  us 
that  "  a  prudent  wife  is  from  the  Lord ;"  and  he 
who  opens  his  eye  to  this  truth  as  he  studies  his- 
tory, or  observes  passing  life,  shall  have  his  labor 
amply  repaid. 

"  There  dwelt  a  man  in  Maon,  whose  posses- 
sions were  in  Carmel ;  "  and  those  possessions 
consisted  chiefly  in  flocks  and  herds,  which  his 
numerous  servants  cared  for,  at  a  distance,  and 
exposed  to  danger  from  the  hordes  of  predatory 
robbers  which  infested  the  country  round  Judea. 


ABIGAIL.  213 

At  the  same  time  David,  the  son-in-law  of  the 
king  and  his  anointed  successor,  was  hiding  him- 
self from  Saul,  and  with  his  armed  men  com- 
passed and  protected  the  shepherds  and  their 
charge,  while  they  remained  in  their  vicinity.  It 
seemed  but  natural  that  it  should  be  so.  David 
did  but  follow  the  kindly  impulse  of  a  kind  heart, 
or  the  dictate  of  a  manly  and  fearless  nature,  and 
looked  for  no  further  result  of  the  apparently 
accidental  relation  which  for  the  time  existed  be- 
tween him  and  those  he  protected.  Yet  it  was  not 
chance,  but  design,  that  threw  them  thus  together. 
The  time  of  shearing  came,  and  Nabal,  as  was 
customary,  made  a  great  feast.  He,  however, 
wholly  neglected  the  injunctions  which  made  it 
binding  on  him  to  remember  the  destitute  in  his 
hour  of  prosperity.  David  was  now  near  by, 
and  suffering  with  his  army  from  actual  want. 
Hearing  of  the  festivities  at  Carmel,  and  feeling 
a  two-fold  claim  on  the  man  whom  he  had  served, 
he  sent  messengers,  begging  him,  in  the  most  re- 
spectful terms,  to  supply  their  necessities.  He 
did  not  know  that  Nabal  was  a  churl,  and  was 
consequently  not  prepared  for  the  impatient  and 


214  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

unkind  message  which  was  sent  him  in  return. 
His  anger  was  roused.  "  Gird  ye  on  every  man 
his  sword,"  was  his  immediate  and  stern  com- 
mand to  his  followers.  They  obeyed,  "  and  Da- 
vid also  girded  on  his  sword,"  and,  with  thoughts 
of  vengeance  in  his  heart,  departed  with  four 
hundred  men  for  the  place  of  the  sheep-shearing. 
"  A  man's  heart  devise th  his  way,  but  the 
Lord  directeth  his  steps."  While  David  and  his 
men  are  thus  preparing  to  return  evil  for  evil, 
the  ever-watchful  Providence  is  bringing  about 
far  other  issues.  Scarcely  had  the  ill-natured 
Nabal  uttered  his  bitter  words  before  one  of  his 
young  men,  justly  fearing  the  consequences, 
hastened  to  tell  his  mistress  the  exact  state  of 
affairs,  and  urge  her,  as  he  well  knew  he  might, 
to  take  measures  for  preventing  the  evil  which  he 
was  sure  would  come  out  of  such  conduct.  Na- 
bal  was  a  man  of  Belial,  but  his  wife  "  was  a 
woman  of  good  understanding,  and  of  a  beauti- 
ful countenance."  Be  not  surprised  at  the  con- 
trast in  these  two,  kind  reader.  We  have  said 
that  Providence  works  to  restore  sinful  man  to 
holiness,  and  for  this  end,  not  for  mere  earthly 


ABIGAIL.  215 

happiness,  binds  together  human  hearts  and  lives, 
and  it  often  happens  that  the  discipline  which 
works  most  effectually  for  this  result,  is  secured 
in  what  the  world  would  call  ill-assorted  unions. 
We  think  we  can  perceive  that  Abigail's  charac- 
ter was  strengthened  by  the  very  unpleasant  cir- 
cumstances in  which  she  was  placed.  The  faults 
of  her  husband  called  forth  her  excellences,  and 
the  unhappiness  W7hich  must  of  necessity  have 
attended  her  marriage,  doubtless  led  her  to  find 
comfort  in  piety.  As  soon  as  she  had  heard  the 
story  of  the  young  man,  with  ready  mind  she 
quickly  devised  her  plan,  and  as  promptly  pre- 
pared to  put  it  in  execution.  Little  dreamed 
David  of  any  obstacle  in  the  way  of  his  evil 
design,  much  less  of  the  fair  vision  which  sud- 
denly greeted  his  eyes,  as  he  turned  from  the 
"covert  of  the  hill,"  and  met  the  beautiful 
Abigail.  It  is  not  probable  that  they  had  ever 
met  until  now,  but  she  knew  in  an  instant  who 
stood  before  her,  and  "  dismounting  from  her  ass, 
she  hastened  to  pay  him  the  reverential  homage 
due  to  him,  alike  as  the  anointed  of  the  Lord  and 
the  destined  king  of  Israel ;  and  kneeling  at 


216  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

his  feet,  addressed  him  in  a  strain  so  fraught 
with  the  spirit  of  wisdom  and  piety,  so  truly 
deferential,  rising,  as  she  proceeded,  almost  into 
prophecy,  that  we  can  but  wonder  and  admire." 
"Not  only  does  she  with  prudence  and  ready 
wit  deprecate  the  anger  of  David  by  taking 
the  trespass  against  him  on  herself,  and  asking 
his  forgiveness,  as  if  it  was  she  who  had  offended  ; 
but  she  contrives  to  lessen  the  oifence  of  Xabal 
by  attributing  it  not  to  malice  or  determined 
enmity,  but  only  to  folly,  which  prevented  his  be- 
ing answerable  for  his  own  actions,  and  therefore 
not  worthy  of  David's  further  regard." 

She  then  appeals,  in  the  most  beautiful  and 
effective  manner,  to  the  principle  of  piety  which 
she  knew  reigned  in  David's  heart,  and  with  wo- 
manly tact  evinces  interest  and  sympathy  in  his 
hopes,  and  fears,  and  trials,  while  at  the  same 
time  she  administers  a  reproof  so  delicate,  yet  so 
just,  that  we  have  thought  it  may  have  given 
occasion  for  David's  recorded  wish:  "  Let  the 
righteous  smite  me  ;  it  shall  be  a  kindness  :  let 
him  reprove  me  ;  it  shall  be  an  excellent  oil, 
which  shall  not  break  my  head." 


ABIGAIL.  217 

Surprised,  touched,  and  effectually  brought  to 
his  senses,  David  exclaims  with  fervor,  "  Blessed 
be  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  which  sent  thee  this 
day  to  meet  me  :  and  blessed  be  thy  advice,  and 
blessed  be  thou  which  hast  kept  me  this  day  from 
coming  to  shed  blood,  and  from  avenging  myself 
with  my  own  hand.  For  in  very  deed,  as  the 
Lord  God  of  Israel  liveth,  which  hath  kept  me 
back  from  hurting  thee,  except  thou  hadst  hasted 
and  come  to  meet  me,  surely  by  the  morning 
light  there  had  not  been  one  left  to  Nabal." 

David  turned  back,  a  wiser  man,  and  Abigail 
went  to  her  cheerless  home  and  her  brutish  hus- 
band. Her  trials  were  severe,  but  they  were 
speeding  to  their  termination.  It  was  useless  to 
say  anything  to  Nabal  that  night,  overcome  as  he 
was  with  feasting  and  drunkenness,  but  in  the 
morning  she  told  him,  as  she. felt  it  her  duty,  all 
she  had  done.  His  days  and  his  crimes  were 
numbered.  "  These  crimes  came  not  indeed  un- 
der the  head  of  great  delinquencies  ;  they  were 
those  petty  sins  of  stingy  selfishness,  and  an  ag- 
gravating, disobliging  temper,  which  grow  upon 
us  unconsciously,  and  we  scarcely  know  their 
19 


218  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

influence  till  some  awful  stroke  of  judgment 
awakens  us  to  what  we  might  have  been,  and  to 
what  we  are.  His  wife's  narrative  was  this 
awakening  stroke  toNabal."  When  he  heard  it, 
"his  heart  died  within  him,  and  he  became  as  a 
stone."  Ten  days  after,  he  was  a  dead  man,  and 
David  once  more  exclaimed,  "  Blessed  be  the 
Lord." 

The  tie  which  binds  souls  together  who  have 
aided  each  other  in  their  Christian  course,  is  one 
of  the  strongest  known  on  earth.  We  never  for- 
get those  who  have  turned  our  feet  from  the 
paths  of  sin,  and  David  remembered  with  grati- 
tude his  sudden  and  strange  interview  with 
Abigail  in  the  "  rocky  defile  of  Carmel."  His 
heart  turned  toward  her  when  he  heard  of  Nabal's 
death,  and  he  sent  messengers  to  her,  and  she 
became  his  wife,  and  was  the  mother  of  his  son 
Daniel.  There  was,  indeed,  another  to  share  her 
husband's  love,  but  doubtless  she  saw  days  of  such 
happiness  as  she  had  never  before  experienced, 
"  though  in  worldly  state  and  earthly  possessions 
David  could  not  compare  with  her  former  hus- 
band." She  became  the  companion  of  his  wan- 


ABIGAIL.  219 

tiering  and  dangerous  life,  and  was  among  those 
who  were  taken  captive  by  the  Amalekites,  when 
they  pillaged  Ziklag  in  the  absence  of  the  men 
of  war.  The  account  is  deeply  affecting.  Sent 
back  by  Achish,  David  and  his  men  returned  to  the 
city,  "and,  behold,  it  was  burned  with  fire;  and 
their  wives,  and  their  sons,  and  their  daughters, 
were  taken  captives. ;  Then  David  and  the  people 
that  were  with  him  lifted  up  their  voice  and  wept, 
until  they  had  no  more  power  to  weep."  How 
fared  it  with  their  sorrowing  wives  ?  How  did 
Abigail  bear  up  in  that  sad  flight  from  her  home, 
her  husband  afar,  no  hope  of  return,  everything 
to  terrify  and  afflict,  only  slavery  and  anguish 
and  dishonor  before  her  ?  Was  she  able  to  put 
her  usual  confidence  in  Israel's  God  ?  His  prov- 
idence, which  had  hitherto  watched  over  her, 
was  working  still.  Was  it  not  he  who  caused  the 
Philistines  to  distrust  their  Hebrew  allies,  and  sent 
them  in  that  critical  moment  to  the  rescue  ?  Was 
it  not  he  AV!IO  so  ordered  it  that  the  poor  Egyp- 
tian should  faint  and  sicken,  and  be  left  by  the 
way,  that  he  might  guide  them  to  the  camp  of 
their  foes  ?  "  And  David  recovered  all  that  the 


220  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

Amalekites  had  carried  away  ;  and  David  rescued 
his  two  wives.  And  there  was  nothing  lacking 
to  them,  neither  small  nor  great,  neither  sons  nor 
daughters,  neither  spoil,  nor  anything  that  they 
had  taken  to  them.  David  recovered  all." 

We  are  not  told  how  long  Abigail  lived,  nor 
can  we  glean  anything  of  interest  concerning  her 
son.  As  she  had  shared  David's  wanderings  and 
sorrows,  she  also  had  part  in  his  triumph.  When 
he  took  up  his  abode,  at  the  command  of  God,  in 
Hebron,  and  was  anointed  king,  she  was  with 
him,  and  we  cannot  doubt  that  she  was  ever  to 
him  a  faithful  and  wise  counsellor,  as  well  as  a 
loving  wife. 

Her  history  is  instructive  and  interesting.  Tier 
"  beautiful  countenance  "  may  have  won  David's 
admiration,  but  her  "good  understanding"  se- 
cured his  esteem,  and  her  piety  drew  on  her  his 
fervent  blessing.  The  care  of  our  heavenly  Father 
for  his  creatures,  and  his  hand  in  the  smallest 
events,  are  strikingly  displayed  in  their  union,  and 
in  the  circumstances  which  brought  it  to  pass. 
Would  we  might  learn  in  all  things  to  commit 
our  way  unto  him  ! 


THE   MOTHER  OF   REHOBOAM. 

IN  our  brief  account  of  Bathsheba,  we  men- 
tioned that  Solomon,  her  second  son,  was,  by  a 
message  from  God  himself,  to  be  named  "  Jede- 
diah  —  beloved  of  the  Lord."  Toward  this  child, 
so  given,  and  so  named,  we  might  reasonably  sup- 
pose the  hearts  of  both  David  and  Bathsheba 
would  turn  with  peculiar  interest  and  affection ; 
and  we  are  not  surprised  at  the  many  proofs  that 
this  was  the  fact,  and  that  his  education  was  of 
the  greatest  importance  in  their  eyes.  "  I  was 
my  father's  son,"  says  he,  in  the  latter  years  of 
his  life,  "  tender  and  only  beloved  in  the  sight  of 
my  mother ;  "  and  goes  on  to  repeat  the  instruc- 
tions lavished  upon  him.  We  are,  however,  par- 
ticularly interested  in  his  testimony  to  his  mother's 
faithful  counsels,  recorded  in  the  last  chapter  of 
the  Proverbs,  in  which  he  gives  us  "  the  words  of 
king  Lemuel,  the  prophecy  that  his  mother  taught 
him."  We  cannot  here  repeat  those  wise  in- 
structions, but  we  beg  our  readers  to  open  the 
19* 


222  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

book  and  scan  them  closely,  and  see  if  they  do 
not  discern  in  them  a  mother's  instinctive  persua- 
sion of  her  son's  besetting  weakness,  even  in  early 
life  betraying  itself,  and  a  mother's  yearning  de- 
sire to  save  him  from  a  course  which  she  feared, 
and  justly,  would  ultimately  prove  his  ruin. 
How  earnestly,  and  in  what  glowing  terms,  does 
she  descant  on  the  excellences  of  a  virtuous  wife 
and  the  delights  of  true  domestic  bliss  !  Contrast 
for  a  moment  the  caustic  and  bitter,  descriptions 
which  he  himself  gives  of  those  in  whom  he 
chose  to  place  his  trust,  despite  his  mother's 
warnings,  and  whose  fascinations  he  found  "more 
bitter  than  death,"  with  this  most  beautiful  set- 
ting forth  of  true  womanly  attractions  and  worth. 
Alas  for  him  !  King  Solomon,  with  his  surpass- 
ing wisdom,  proved  himself,  in  one  most  impor- 
tant particular,  the  fool  he  so  often  describes  as 
despising  instruction  and  hating  reproof.  He 
followed  his  own  devices,  and  gathered  about  him 
a  thousand  wives,  among  whom,  he  tells  us,  he 
found  not  one  true  woman,  and  when  he  would 
describe  such  an  one,  unable  to  do  it  from  his  own 
experience,  he  is  forced  to  recall  his  mother's 


THE  MOTHER  OF  REHOBOAM.        223 

words,  spoken  to  him  in  the  days  of  his  youth, 
thereby  exalting  one  whom  he  always  delighted 
to  honor,  though  at  his  own  expense.  "  Doubt- 
less there  were,  among  those  he  called  by  the 
sacred  name  of  wife,  many,  who,  if  he  had  chosen 
one  of  them  alone,  and  bound  his  heart  to  hers 
in  true  marriage,  would  have  blessed  him  with 
woman's  devoted  and  faithful  love.  But  no 
woman  could  give  her  whole  heart  for  the  thou- 
sandth part  of  a  man's.  And  no  man  who 
divides  his  affections  among  a  thousand  can  know 
the  blessedness  of  loving  only  one." 

Solomon,  so  far  as  we  can  learn,  had  only  one 
son,  and  it  appears  to  us  a  judgment  of  Heaven 
that  it  should  have  been  so,  especially  as  that  son 
was  such  an  one  as  to  cause  him  to  exclaim,  in 
bitterness  of  spirit,  as  he  contemplated  the  glory 
of  his  kingdom,  and  remembered  who  should 
inherit  it,  "I  hated  all  my  labor  which  I  had 
taken  under  the  sun,  because  I  should  leave  it 
unto  the  man  that  shall  be  after  me.  And  who 
knoweth  whether  he  shall  be  a  wise  man  or  a  fool  ? 
Yet  he  shall  have  rule  over  all  my  labor  wherein 
I  have  labored,  and  wherein  I  have  showed  myself 


224  THE    MOTHERS    OF   THE  BIBLE. 

wise  under  the  sun."  Read  faithfully  the  account 
given  of  the  imbecile  and  evil-minded  Rehoboam, 
and  you  will  not  wonder  at  the  mournful  forebod- 
ings of  the  father's  heart.  Through  forty  years 
he  had  counselled  and  instructed  and  warned  him 
in  vain.  How  earnestly  he  entreats  him  to  "  seek 
wisdom,"  to  "  cry  after  knowledge,"  to  search 
for  understanding,  and  how  fruitless  his  exhorta- 
tions !  Well  was  it  for  him  that  his  eyes  closed 
to  earthly  scenes  before  the  folly  and  crimes  of 
this  only  son  dismembered  his  fair  kingdom,  dis- 
persed his  people,  and  scattered  his  vast  treasures 
to  the  winds. 

"  Why  was  it  thus  ?  "  is  often  asked.  "  Why 
should  so  wise  a  father  have  had  so  foolish  a  son  ?  " 
As  well  ask  why  example  is  ever  a  more  effective 
teacher  than  precept.  As  well  inquire  why  the 
education  of  our  children  is  advancing  more  surely 
and  constantly  under  the  influences  we  are  uncon- 
sciously exerting  upon  them,  than  under  those  we 
bring  designedly  to  bear.  How  could  the  son  of 
the  man,  who,  —  though  he  uttered  three  thousand 
proverbs,  and  sung  songs  a  thousand  and  five  ; 
who  wrote  on  all  known  species  of  plants,  "from 


THE  MOTHER  OF  REHOBOAM.       225 

the  cedar  in  Lebanon  to  the  hyssop  that  springeth 
out  of  the  wall — of  beasts,  of  fowls,  of  creeping 
things  and  of  fishes  ;  "  whose  wisdom  the  queen  of 
Sheba  came  to  hear,  —  was  yet  so  weak  as  to  have 
his  heart  turned  from  the  living  God  by  strange 
women,  be  otherwise  than  foolish  ?  But  if  this 
be  not  reason  enough,  we  can  look  further.  "  We 
hear,"  it  is  said,  "  of  foolish  sons  having  wise 
fathers,  and  of  foolish  fathers  having  wise  sons, 
but  rarely  of  a  wise  son  having  had  a  foolish 
mother." 

Who,  then,  was  Rehoboam's  mother  ?  The 
simple  record  of  Scripture  is,  "  Naamah,  an  Am- 
monitess."  Brief,  but  emphatic.  Her  history, 
as  we  glean  by  diligent  searching,  is  this  :  Solo- 
mon, as  early  as  in  his  eighteenth  year,  before  the 
death  of  his  father  and  mother  (and  the  fact  is 
significant,  taken  in  connection  with  their  counsel 
to  him,  and  evident  fears  concerning  him),  mar- 
ried a  daughter  of  the  hated  and  hating  Ammon- 
ites, and  before  he  was  twenty  was  a  father  —  his 
only  son  called  her  mother.  She  was  a  descend- 
ant of  those  who  refused  needed  assistance  to  the 
Israelites  on  their  weary  march  from  Egypt ;  and 


22G  THE    MOTHERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

not  only  so,  but  hired  Balaam,  the  son  of  Peor, 
to  curse  them  as  they  passed,  for  which  unkind- 
ness  Jehovah  commanded,  "An  Ammonite  shall 
not  enter  into  the  congregation  of  the  Lord." 
"  Thou  shalt  not  seek  their  peace  nor  their  pros- 
perity all  their  days  forever."  It  was  the  Am- 
monites against  whom  Jephthah  fought,  and  for 
victory  over  whom  he  sacrificed  his  daughter.  It 
was  the  Ammonites  who  abused  David's  messen- 
gers, whose  royal  city,  Kabbah,  Joab  besieged  so 
long,  and  the  inhabitants  of  whose  towns  David 
put  to  torture.  The  malignant,  and  bitter,  and 
scoffing  enemies  of  Israel,  ever  on  the  watch  to 
afflict  and  terrify  the  chosen  people,  they  were 
found,  at  all  times  during  their  history,  ready  to 
mock  and  taunt  and  hinder  their  peace,  and 
brought  down  upon  themselves  at  last  the  most 
fearful  imprecations  of  Jehovah.  "  Behold,  the 
days  come,  saith  the  Lord,  that  I  will  cause  an 
alarm  of  war  to  be  heard  in  Kabbah  of  the  Am- 
monites, and  it  shall  be  a  desolate  heap,  and  her 
daughters  shall  be  burned  with  fire."  "  Son  of 
man,  set  thy  face  against  the  Ammonites,  and 
prophesy  against  them  :  Hear  the  word  of  the 


THE    MOTHER    OF    REUOBOAM.  227 

Lord  God  :  thus  saith  the  Lord  God  ;  Because 
thou  saidst,  Aha,  against  my  sanctuary  when  it 
was  profaned ;  and  against  the  land  of  Israel 
when  it  was  desolate  ;  and  against  the  house  of 
Judah  when  they  went  into  captivity ;  behold, 
therefore,  I  will  deliver  thee  to  the  men  of  the 
east  for  a  possession.  And  I  will  make  Kabbah 
a  stable  for  camels,  and  the  Ammonites  a  couch- 
ing place  for  flocks  ;  and  ye  shall  know  that  I  am 
the  Lord." 

So  abhorrent  to  Jehovah  were  the  people  from 
whom  Solomon  chose  his  wife,  the  mother  of  his 
son.  And  to  that  wife  he  gave  heed  more  than 
to  the  law  of  his  God.  He  did,  indeed,  build  a 
magnificent  temple  to  the  worship  of  the  Eternal, 
and  offered  at  its  dedication  one  of  the  most  sub- 
lime prayers  ever  poured  forth  from  mortal  lips  ; 
but  then,  weakest,  most  inconsistent  of  men  that 
he  was,  he  erected  on  "the  hill  which  was  before 
Jerusalem"  a  high  place  for  Moloch,  the  abomi- 
nation of  Ammon,  that  his  idolatrous  wife  might 
offer  sacrifices  and  burn  incense  to  her  god.  Is  it 
at  all  surprising  that  Rehoboam  "  prepared  not 
his  heart  to  seek  the  Lord  ?  "  that  he  forsook  the 


228  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

wise  counsel  of  his  father's  friends,  and  adhered 
to  that  of  vain,  ignorant  persons,  like  himself? 
Is  it  strange  that  he  only  served  Jehovah  from 
fear,  and  forsook  him  when  he  felt  himself  secure  ? 
Is  it  at  all  to  be  wondered  at,  that,  in  his  days, 
"  Judah  did  evil  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord,  and 
provoked  him  to  jealousy  with  their  sins,  and  built 
them  high  places,  and  images,  and  groves,  on 
every  high  hill  and  under  every  green  tree  "  ? 

It  would  be  interesting  to  inquire,  had  we  time, 
what  was  the  nature  of  that  worship  which  Reho- 
boam's  mother  offered  to  this  idol,  known  under 
three  names,  Moloch,  Melcom,  and  Milcom,  and 
there  are  many  points  which  we  would  like  to 
touch  upon,  but  cannot.  We  once  more  entreat 
our  readers  not  to  be  satisfied  for  a  moment  with 
these  meagre  sketches,  but  to  "search  the  Scrip- 
tures "  for  themselves.  They  will  not  lose  their 
reward. 

There  are  lessons  of  deep  interest  to  take 
home  to  our  hearts  from  the  lives  of  those  we 
have  been  considering.  The  first  is  to  "  wait  for 
the  Lord."  How  dark,  and  long,  and  tedious, 
must  have  seemed  the  years  of  Solomon's  reign  to 


THE  MOTHER  OF  REHOBOAM.        229 

the  truly  spiritual  souls  among  the  Israelites ! 
Notwithstanding  the  outward  glory  and  magnifi- 
cence, they  knew  that  rottenness  and  corruption 
worked  within.  No  good  could  come  to  Israel, 
when  those  who  were  his  bitter  enemies  had  more 
influence  at  court  than  any  others.  How  strange 
it  still  appears  to  many  that  the  Almighty  should 
have  borne,  through  forty  years,  the  disobedience 
and  follies  and  crimes  of  one  whom  he  had  so 
richly  gifted,  and  from  whom  he  had  withheld  no 
earthly  good.  He  sees  not  as  man  sees.  Even 
for  this  end  was  Solomon  raised  up,  that  he  might 
present  to  all  coming  ages  the  spectacle  of  the 
most  elevated,  most  powerful,  wisest,  richest  of 
men,  searching  for  happiness  in  the  things  beneath 
the  sun  ;  trying,  and  having  the  ability,  and  the 
means  to  try,  to  his  heart's  content,  every  source 
of  earthly  gratification,  and  forced  to  write  on  all 
"vanity,  and  vexation  of  spirit,"  and  to  come 
humbly  and  penitently,  through  a  most  bitter  ex- 
perience, to  the  conviction,  at  last,  that  "  to  fear 
God  and  keep  his  commandments  "  is  the  only 
way  of  safety  and  peace  to  man.  Ye  who  have 
sons  and  daughters  who  are  not  satisfied  with  your 
20 


230  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

assurance  that  you  have  tried  the  way  of  the  world, 
and  found  it  vanity,  but  who  wish  to  prove  it 
themselves  ;  who,  in  their  small  way,  are  bent  on 
working  out  anew  King  Solomon's  problem,  "  wait 
on  the  Lord  and  be  of  good  courage."  The  end 
is  not  yet.  "  Great  and  singular  is  the  honor 
which  God  has  set  upon  patient  waiting  for  him. 
Man,  seeing  not  as  God  sees,  sets  higher  value 
upon  his  fellows'  active  works  —  the  bright  deeds 
of  days  and  hours.  God  values  these  also  ;  but  he 
does  not  assign  them  the  same  preeminence  as  man 
does  ;  he  does  not  allow  them  any  preeminence 
over  that  constant  and  long-enduring  struggle  with 
the  risings  of  the  natural  mind,  which  is  evinced 
in  long  and  steady  waiting,  under  all  discourage- 
ments, for  him,  in  the  assured  conviction  that  he 
will  come  at  last  for  deliverance  and  protection, 
although  his  chariot  wheels  tarry  long."  His 
plans  are  far-reaching  ;  and  although  you  long  for 
the  immediate  conversion  and  present  usefulness 
of  your  children,  he  may  see  that,  as  in  Solomon's 
case,  the  long,  and  tardy,  and  difficult  process, 
and  the  final  reluctant  confession  and  return,  shall 


THE   MOTHER    OF    REIIOBOAM.  231 

work  in  more  and  better  ways  for  the  good  of  his 
kingdom.  Therefore  learn  "  to  labor  and  to 
wait." 

But  there  is  yet  another  lesson  to  the  young, 
who  are  starting  forth  upon  the  paths  of  life,  and 
are  unwilling  to  profit  by  the  experience,  or 
accept  the  counsels,  of  their  parents  and  friends. 
Although  you  may  have  the  satisfaction  of  follow- 
ing your  own  chosen  way  through  many  years, 
and  by  the  grace  of  God  at  last  be  saved,  so  as 
by  fire,  you  cannot  repair  the  wrong  which  such 
a  course  will  do  to  those  dependent  on  you.  Sol- 
omon might  have  learned  the  lesson  of  fearing 
God  from  his  father,  and  might  have  been  per- 
suaded by  his  mother's  affectionate  entreaties  to 
choose  a  virtuous  wife.  Then,  instead  of  the  dis- 
appointment and  anguish  he  suffered  from  seeing 
his  son  foolish  and  impious,  and  having  the  judg- 
ments of  God  denounced  upon  him ;  dying  in  dis- 
grace, and  dishonor,  and  disappointment ;  he 
might  have  been  blessed  with  woman's  true  love, 
obedient  children,  and  a  long-continued  posterity 
upon  the  throne  of  his  father.  No  late  repentance 


232  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

could  possibly  accomplish  for  others  what  an 
upright  and  consistent  life  would  have  done. 
Therefore  the  wicked  Rehoboam  lived  and  died 
the  monument  of  his  father's  sin,  and  of  his 
mother's  hatred  to  the  God  of  the  Israelites. 


THE  MOTHER  OF  ABIJAH. 

THE  following  beautiful  account  is  from  Dr. 
Kitto's  Daily  Bible  Illustrations,  which  we  copy 
as  being  far  before  anything  we  could  say,  and 
which  covers  all  the  ground.  And  we  take  occa- 
sion here  to  urge  our  readers  to  make  themselves 
familiar  with  the  writings  of  this  noble  scholar, 
and  benefactor  of  all  Bible  students. 

"  This  quiet  place  apart,  among  the  enclosing 
hills,  is  Shiloh.  It  was  once  the  seat  of  the 
Lord's  tabernacle,  his  altar,  and  his  ark,  and  was 
then  replete  with  holy  activities  and  solemn 
sounds.  But,  since  these  departed,  it  has  been 
well-nigh  forsaken,  and  has  relapsed  into  a  silent 
village,  or  small  rural  town.  Yet  still  holy 
things  are  here — holy  men,  who  have  found  here 
a  sort  of  refuge  from  the  wickedness  of  the  time 
—  a  quiet  retreat,  favorable  to  sacred  memories, 
and  to  the  nourishment  of  holy  thoughts.  Among 
them  is  Abijah,  that  old  prophet  who  rent  the 
20* 


234  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

new  cloak  of  Jeroboam,  and  promised  him  the 
largest  share  of  the  divided  kingdom.  He  is 
now  blind.  Upon  the  outer  world,  made  foul  by 
man's  abominations,  he  has  closed  his  eyes,  and 
sees  and  lives  by  the  light  that  shines  within. 

"  Now  observe  that  woman  stealing  down  the 
street,  and  seeking  the  old  prophet's  house.  By 
her  guise  she  is  of  the  peasantry,  and  she  bears 
a  basket.  Yet  her  gait  scarcely  befits  her  garb  ; 
and  the  quick,  furtive  glance  she  casts  around 
her,  her  coarse  hood-veil,  betray  some  conscious 
concealment,  some  fear  of  recognition,  some  pur- 
pose she  would  not  wish  to  have  known. 

"  This  woman,  mean  as  she  seems,  is  the  lady 
of  the  land ;  and,  although  her  basket  contains 
but  a  few  cakes  and  biscuit,  and  a  little  honey, 
she  might,  if  she  pleased,  have  filled  it  with 
precious  and  costly  things.  She  is  the  wife  of 
Jeroboam  —  as  far  as  we  know,  his  only  wife  — 
the  mother  of  his  heir;  and,  therefore,  if  he  had 
a  score  of  wives,  the  chief  of  them  all.  That 
heir,  by  name  Abijah,  is  alarmingly  ill  ;  and,  at 
the  instance  of  Jeroboam,  and  impelled  by  moth- 
erly love,  that  royal  lady  has  come  all  the  way 


THE    MOTHER    OF    ABIJAH.  235 

from  Tirzah,  in  this  disguise,  that  she  may  learn 
from  the  prophet  what  is  to  become  of  her  son  ; 
and  the  things  in  her  basket  are  gifts  for  the  man 
of  God,  suited  to  the  condition  she  had  assumed. 
The  disguise  was  thought  necessary  to  conceal 
this  visit  from  the  people,  and  partly  in  the  idle 
hope  of  obtaining,  in  the  semblance  of  another, 
the  desired  answer,  unmixed  with  the  reproof 
and  denunciation  which  Jeroboam  knew  that  his 
conduct  had  been  calculated  to  draw  down  from 
the  prophet  who  had  foretold  his  exaltation.  He 
thus  foolishly  thought  to  coerce  the  Lord,  through 
his  prophet,  out  of  an  answer  of  peace,  and 
slyly  to  evade  the  judgment  he  feared  might  be 
connected  with  it ;  and  he  idly  calculated  that 
the  prophet,  whose  view  could  extend  into  the 
future,  hid  in  the  counsels  of  God,  could  not  see 
through  a  present  matter  wrapped  up  only  in  the 
thin  cover  of  a  woman's  hood. 

"  All  this  fine  contrivance  was  blown  to  pieces 
the  moment  the  wife  of  Jeroboam  crossed  Abi- 
jah's  threshold  ;  for  then  she  heard  the  voice  of 
the  blind  prophet — 'Come  in,  thou  wife  of 
Jeroboam  ;  why  feignest  thou  thyself  to  be  an- 


236  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

other  ?  for  I  am  sent  to  thee  with  heavy  tidings.' 
He  then  broke  forth  in  a  strong  tide  of  denuncia- 
tion against  Jeroboam,  because  he  had  sinned,  and 
made  Israel  to  sin  ;  and  the  voice  which  had  pro- 
claimed his  rise  from  a  low  estate  to  royal  power, 
now,  with  still  stronger  tone,  proclaimed  the  down- 
fall and  ruin  of  his  house  —  quenched  in  blood  — 
its  members  to  find  tombs  only  in  the  bowels  of 
beasts  and  birds.  There  was  one  exception  — 
only  one.  The  youth  of  whom  she  came  to  in- 
quire, he  only  should  come  to  his  grave  in  peace, 
by  dying  of  his  present  disease,  because  in  him 
only  was  *  found  some  good  thing  towards  the 
Lord  God  of  Israel  in  the  house  of  Jeroboam.' 

"  Woful  tidings  these  for  a  mother's  heart ; 
and  scarcely,  perhaps,  intelligible  to  her  stunned 
intellect.  Here  was  a  beginning  of  judgment 
upon  Jeroboam,  and  upon  her,  because  she  was 
his.  Judgment  in  taking  away  the  only  well- 
conditioned  and  worthy  son  ;  and  judgment  stored 
up  in  and  for  the  ill-conditioned  ones  who  were 
suffered  to  remain.  God,  when  it  suits  the  pur- 
pose of  his  wisdom  and  his  justice,  can  afflict  no 
less  by  what  he  spares  than  by  what  he  takes. 


THE   MOTHER   OF    ABIJAII.  237 

"Yet  there  was  mercy  in  his  judgment; 
mercy,  strange  as  it  seems  to  say,  to  him  on 
whom  the  sentence  of  death  was  passed.  It  is 
so  stated ;  and  it  is  more  intelligible  than  it 
seems.  It  was  because  there  was  some  good 
thing  found  in  him  that  he  should  die.  Death 
was  to  be  for  him  a  reward,  a  blessing,  a  deliver- 
ance, lie  should  die  peaceably  upon  his  bed ; 
for  him  all  Israel  should  mourn  ;  for  him  many 
tears  be  shed,  and  he  should  be  brought  with 
honor  to  his  tomb.  More  than  all,  he  would  be 
taken  from  his  part  in  the  evil  that  hung  over 
his  house,  and  the  Lord's  vindicatory  justice 
would  thus  be  spared  the  seeming  harshness  of 
bringing  ruin  upon  a  righteous  king  for  his 
father's  crimes.  Alas !  how  little  do  we  know 
the  real  objects  of  the  various  incidents  of  life 
and  death  —  of  mercy,  of  punishment,  and  of 
trial !  In  this  case  the  motives  are  disclosed  ; 
and  we  are  suffered  to  glance  upon  some  of  the 
great  secrets  of  death,  which  form  the  trying 
mysteries  of  life.  Having  the  instance,  we  can 
find  the  parallels  of  lives,  full  of  hope  and  prom- 
ise, prematurely  taken,  and  that  in  mercy,  we 


238  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

can  judge,  to  those  who  depart.  The  heavenly 
Husbandman  often  gathers  for  his  garner  the 
fruit  that  early  ripens,  without  suffering  it  to 
hang  needlessly  long,  beaten  by  storms,  upon  the 
tree.  0,  how  often,  as  many  a  grieved  heart 
can  tell,  do  the  Lord's  best  beloved  die  betimes, 
taken  from  the  evil  to  come,  while  the  unripe,  the 
evil,  the  injurious,  live  long  for  mischief  to  them- 
selves and  others !  Roses  and  lilies  wither  far 
sooner  than  thorns  and  thistles. 

"Doleful  were  the  tidings  which  the  disguised 
princess  had  to  bear  back  to  the  beautiful  town 
of  Tirzah.  All  remoter  griefs  were,  probably, 
to  her  swallowed  up  in  this,  which  rung  contin- 
ually in  her  ears  in  all  her  homeward  way: 
'  When  thy  feet  enter  into  the  city  the  child 
shall  die.'  It  is  heavy  tidings  to  a  mother  that 
she  must  lose  her  well-beloved  son ;  but  it  is  a 
grievous  aggravation  of  her  trouble  that  she 
might  not  see  him  before  he  died.  They  who 
were  about  him  knew  not  that  he  was  to  die 
to-day,  and,  therefore,  could  not  estimate  the 
preciousness  of  his  last  hours,  and  the  privilege 
of  being  there  near  him,  and  of  receiving  his 


THE    MOTHER    OF    ABIJAII.  239 

embrace.  She  knew ;  and  she  might  not  be 
near,  nor  pour  out  upon  her  dying  son  the  ful- 
ness of  a  mother's  heart.  Knowing  that  her  son 
lay  on  his  death-bed,  her  first  impulse  must  have 
been  to  fly  home  to  receive  his  dying  kiss,  but 
her  second,  to  linger  by  the  way,  as  if  to  pro- 
tract that  dear  life  which  must  close  the  moment 
she  entered  the  city.  Never,  surely,  before  or 
since,  was  a  distressed  mother  so  wofully  torn 
between  the  contrary  impulses  of  her  affection  ! 

"At  last  her  weary  steps  reached  the  city, 
and  as  she  entered  its  gates  her  son  died,  and 
she  was  only  just  in  time  to  press  to  her  arms  the 
heart  still  warm,  although  it  had  ceased  to  beat." 


JEZEBEL. 

ALAS,  that  a  name  which  has  descended  to 
us  so  covered  with  reproach,  which  has  become  a 
proverb,  an  epithet  most  odious,  must  be  num- 
bered and  enrolled  in  our  list  of  mothers  !  Alas, 
that  to  one  so  evil  should  have  been  permitted 
sacred  maternal  ties !  Alas,  that  sweet,  ductile 
infancy  and  childhood  should  ever  have  been  in- 
trusted to  hands  so  profane  ! 

We  shrink  from  the  task  imposed  upon  us,  of 
portraying  a  character  which  becomes  more  re- 
volting the  deeper  we  study  into  it,  which  amazes 
us  by  its  utter  deformity,  and  seems  to  have  no 
redeeming  traits. 

It  has  been  said  that  Jezebel  sat  for  the  pic- 
ture which  Shakspeare  has  drawn  of  Lady  Mac- 
beth ;  but,  if  it  be  so,  Nature's  unrivalled  por- 
trait-painter, for  once,  fell  far  short  of  his 
original.  He  does,  indeed,  make  his  heroine, 
"burning  with  unquenchable  desire  to  bear  the 
name  of  queen,"  cherish  horrible  imaginings  un- 


JEZEBEL.  241 

til  she  fancies  she  can  dare  and  do.  But  Jezebel's 
cold,  cruel  nature  needs  no  such  working  up. 
The  daughter  and  wife  of  a  king,  and  mother  of 
kings  and  queens,  no  such  bauble  as  a  crown 
attracts  her  ;  but,  if  it  did,  she  would  find  a  way 
to  gain  it,  nor  scruple  at  the  means.  The  lady 
of  the  drama  invokes  with  brave  words,  — 

"  Come,  you  spirits 

That  tend  on  mortal  thoughts,  unsex  me  here, 
And  fill  me,  from  crown  to  the  toe,  top  full 
Of  direst  cruelty  "  — 

yet  shrinks  appalled  from  the  resemblance  to  her 
father  in  the  sleeping  Duncan,  and  faints  when 
she  finds  her  husband  has  added  the  murder  of 
the  chamberlains  to  that  of  the  king.  In  Jeze- 
bel we  vainly  look  for  one  womanly  relenting, 
one  gentle  weakness  to  soften  the  hard  lines  of 
more  than  masculine  firmness.  To  accomplish 
her  fell  purposes  she  can  deliberately  attempt  the 
extirpation  from  Israel  of  every  prophet  of  Jeho- 
vah, nor  shrink  one  moment  from  its  execution. 
She  can  look  calmly  on  while  famine  stalks  gaunt 
and  fearful  through  her  husband's  fair  kingdom, 
destroying  every  green  thing,  and  turning  to  a 
21 


242  THE   MOTHERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

barren  waste  the  rich  and  fertile  fields,  and  bring- 
ing unutterable  distress  on  all  his  subjects.  One 
word  of  sincere  repentance  from  her  might  stay 
the  desolation  ;  but  in  her  judgment  it  would  be 
better  that  the  whole  nation  perish  with  hunger 
and  drought  than  that  her  designs  should  be  frus- 
trated. She  can  coolly  summon  the  innocent  to 
a  mockery  of  judgment,  and  as  coolly  exult  that 
he  is  not  alive,  but  stoned  and  dead.  She  can 
threaten  the  Lord's  messenger  with  an  oath  more 
becoming  a  pirate's  than  a  woman's  mouth  ;  and 
who  for  one  moment  doubts  that  she  will  fulfil 
the  horrible  intent,  if  she  has  opportunity,  or 
supposes  that  any  feminine  delicacy,  any  "milk 
of  human  kindness,"  will  prevent  her  "playing 
false,"  or  "catching  the  nearest  way"  to  her 
expected  end  ? 

The  wife  of  the  thane  of  Glamis  urges  her 
husband  on  to  his  deed,  and  reproaches  him  with 
his  timidity. 

"  From  this  time 

Such  I  account  thy  love.     Art  thou  at'eared 
To  be  the  same  in  thine  own  act  and  valor 
As  thou  art  in  desire  ?     Wouldst  thou  have  that 
Which  thou  esteem'st  the  ornament  of  life, 


JEZEBEL.  243 

And  live  a  coward  in  thine  own  esteem, 
Letting  '  I  dare  not '  wait  upon  '  I  would '  ?  " 

Forcible  words,  but  yet  a  woman's  argument. 
Hear  with  what  a  concentration  of  contempt  and 
self-sufficiency,  which  scorns  all  sense  of  need, 
much  more,  dependence  on  another's  act,  the 
haughty  queen  of  Israel  addresses  her  baby  hus- 
band, whining  for  his  neighbor's  land  : 

"  Dost  thou  now  govern  the  kingdom  of  Is- 
rael ?  Arise  and  eat  bread,  and  let  thy  heart 
be  merry  ;  I  will  give  thee  the  field  of  Naboth 
the  Jezreelite." 

When  the  guilty  deed  is  done  to  which  Mac- 
beth and  his  wife  have  wrought  themselves,  and 
conscience  fills  him  with  terrors,  and  he  com- 
plains pitifully  of  the  two  men  who  spoke  to  his 
affrighted  ear,  in  their  sleep, 

"  One  cried,  '  God  bless  us,'  and  '  Amen '  the  other, 
As  they  had  seen  these  hangman's  hands. 
Listening  their  fear,  I  could  not  say  amen, 
When  they  did  say,  '  God  bless  us.' 

Wherefore  could  I  not  pronounce  amen  ? 
I  had  most  need  of  blessing,  and  amen 
Stuck  in  my  throat." 


244  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

She  strives  to  answer  with  quiet  unconcern 
and  indifference,  but  betrays  her  own  inward 
trembling : 

"  Consider  it  not  so  deeply, 
These  deeds  must  not  be  thought 
After  these  vrays  ;  so  it  will  make  us  mad." 

And  working  "deeply,"  the  thought  did  make 
her  mad,  and  rendered  her  nights  restless,  and 
her  days  wretched,  and  finally  raised  her  stained 
"  little  hand  "  to  the  last  act  of  self-destruction. 

Would  we  could  find  one  trace  of  conscience 
or  of  introspection  in  the  subject  of  our  study. 
But  no  such  signs  of  better  nature  appear.  Un- 
awed,  unmoved,  she  passes  on  alike  through 
miracles  of  judgment  and  of  mercy.  "Ahab  can- 
not entirely  divest  himself  of  every  national 
characteristic,  or  the  remembrances  and  associa- 
tions of  his  faith  and  his  people.  There  still 
cling  to  him  some  remains  of  the  fear  of  the 
'Lord  God  of  his  fathers,'  some  feelings  of  rev- 
erence and  awe  for  the  name  and  worship  of 
Jehovah.  No  such  compunctions  trouble  Jeze- 
bel. When  Elijah  visits  Ahab,  the  impious  mon- 


JEZEBEL.  245 

arch  quails  before  him,  and  trembles  at  the 
denunciations  of  divine  wrath.  Jezebel  answers 
his  reproof  by  scorn  and  threats,  and  her  men- 
aces drive  the  prophet  from  the  altar  where  he 
has  triumphed."  Famine, —  blood,  —  the  fire 
from  heaven  which  attests  Jehovah's  Godhead, 
and  puts  to  confusion  her  idolatrous  priests,  — 
prophetic  warnings,  —  the  fearful  death  of  her 
husband  and  sons,  —  the  certainty  and  awfulness 
of  her  own  doom,  —  the  remembrance  of  direful 
crimes ;  nothing,  —  nothing  has  power  for  one 
moment  to  awe  her  spirit  or  subdue  her  indomit- 
able will.  She  is  Jezebel  to  the  last  moment, 
when,  with  painted  face  and  tired  head,  and 
scornful,  taunting  words,  she  mocks  the  con- 
queror, under  whose  chariot  wheels  she  is  the 
next  instant  crushed. 

If  Shakspeare  attempted  to  delineate  such  a 
character,  who  can  blame  him  that  he  came  not 
up  to  that  which  no  mortal  might  dare,  and  hope 
to  retain  the  reputation  of  being  true  to  nature  ? 
None  but  he  who  sees  not  as  man  sees  —  who 
looks  upon  the  heart,  might  expect  to  be  believed 
when  testifying  of  one  so  "  desperately  wicked." 
21* 


246  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

Jezebel  was  the  daughter  of  Ethbaal,  king  of 
Tyre  and  Sidon.  The  natural  pride  of  her  heart 
was  nursed  from  youth  in  that  queenly  city, 
"  which  sat  enthroned  on  ivory,  covered  with 
blue  and  purple;"  the  merchant  city,  whose 
merchants  were  princes,  whose  traffickers  were 
the  honorable  of  the  earth,  —  whose  wares,  em- 
eralds, purple  and  broidered  work,  and  fine  linen, 
and  coral  and  agate,  were  the  desire  of  all 
nations,  —  whose  king  had  supplied  Solomon 
with  men  and  materials  for  the  temple  at  Jerusa- 
lem. A  rival  temple  rose  under  Jezebel's  in- 
fluence at  Samaria,  dedicated  to  Baal,  whose 
worship  she  determined  should  be  extended 
throughout  her  husband's  kingdom,  whatever  the 
means  which  must  be  used  to  accomplish  it. 
Too  well  did  she  succeed.  Ahab  sold  himself, 
under  her  arts,  to  work  such  wickedness  as  was 
never  before  known  in  Israel,  and  the  number  of 
those  who  bowed  not  the  knee  to  Baal  was  re- 
duced, by  her  indefatigable  efforts,  to  seven 
thousand,  among  the  millions  of  Israel,  and  these 
so  scattered  and  fearful,  that  Elijah  knew  not  of 
their  existence. 


JEZEBEL.  247 

As  a  mother,  we  shall  have  occasion  to  speak 
of  Jezebel  hereafter.  We  beg  our  readers  to 
acquaint  themselves  thoroughly  with  this  most 
interesting  period  of  Hebrew  history,  and  espe- 
cially to  search  out  the  remarkable  prophecies 
fulminated  against  Tyre,  while  then  in  the  very 
summit  of  her  glory,  and  their  more  remarkable 
fulfilment.  To  stimulate  their  curiosity,  we  will 
speak  of  one  instance.  "  Ships  from  Tyre,  out 
on  a  three  years'  voyage,  returned  to  find  the 
city  razed  to  the  ground,  which  they  had  left, 
and  looked  to  find  once  more  in  the  perfection 
of  beauty,  giving  a  significance  to  the  prophecy 
of  Isaiah  not  at  first  obvious,  — "  Howl,  ye  ships 
of  Tarshish  ;  for  it  is  laid  waste,  so  that  there  is 
no  house,  no  entering  in.  Howl,  ye  ships  of 
Tarshish  ;  for  your  strength  is  laid  waste." 

0,  that  we  could  persuade  the  young  to  study 
the  Bible  with  diligence  and  interest!  They 
would  soon  find  that  it  surpasses  all  other  books, 
and  say  with  another,  while  contemplating  the 
loftiest  flights  of  human  genius, 

"  Great  God !  when  once  compared  with  thine, 
How  mean  their  writings  look  !  " 


ATHALIAH. 

IT  is  a  time  of  almost  universal  rejoicing  in 
Samaria.  One  theme  burdens  every  tongue,  and 
absorbs  all  thoughts.  In  the  palace,  sounds  of 
revelry  and  mirth  are  heard,  and  gorgeous  sights 
are  seen.  The  magnificent  apartments  are  rivalled 
only  by  Tyrian  splendor — the  ends  of  the  earth 
have  contributed  to  the  sumptuous  entertainments 
—  nor  wealth  nor  labor  have  been  spared  to  make 
the  wedding  feast  of  the  royal  daughter  of  Israel 
and  the  royal  son  of  Judah  eclipse  all  similar 
feasts  and  scenes. 

There  is  rejoicing  in  the  palace.  Ahab, 
roused  from  his  indolence  and  easy  indifference, 
feels  unwonted  satisfaction  as  he  bestows  his 
child  on  the  heir  of  Judah's  crown,  and  hopes  the 
union  will  give  him  useful  allies  in  the  place  of 
dreaded  foes,  and  perhaps  bring  the  hitherto  con- 
tending tribes  again  under  one  dominion.  Jeze- 
bel rejoices.  Athaliah  is  her  only  daughter,  but 
she  is  a  child  after  her  mother's  own  heart. 


ATHALIAH.  249 

With  far-seeing  eye,  and  deep  knowledge  of 
human  nature,  she  looks  into  the  future,  and  her 
heart  shrinks  not  from  its  own  prophesyings.  She 
fears  not,  though  her  child  is  to  be  removed  from 
her  influence  and  surrounded  with  the  worship- 
pers of  Jehovah.  She  has  sown  her  seed  faith- 
fully ;  she  has  watched  and  watered  the  springing 
shoots  ;  by  example  and  precept  she  has  trained 
this  object  of  her  care,  and  she  has  no  doubts  of 
the  harvest.  Her  gratification  is  without  alloy  as 
she  sees  her  wedded  to  Jehoram,  and  hails  her, 
in  anticipation,  queen  of  Judah. 

There  is  rejoicing  in  the  city.  Long  and 
dreary  has  been  the  separation  between  those 
who  were  once  brethren.  But  though  bitter 
thoughts  and  feelings  have  often  been  cherished, 
the  old  love  was  not  extinct,  and  now  it  is  ready 
to  revive  and  flourish,  and  its  fruit  is  joy.  Now 
all  are  full  of  hope.  No  more  envying  and  strife ; 
no  more  shedding  of  kindred  blood ;  union  and 
peace  shall  again  prevail.  Some,  whose  hearts 
have  not  wholly  gone  after  idols,  are  glad  in  the 
hope  of  visiting  once  more  the  holy  city,  and 
the  temple  of  their  God,  and  dream  of  returning 


250  THE    MOTHERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

days  of  gladness,  such  as  were  in  the  olden  time, 
and  ere  they  are  aware,  find  themselves  singing 
the  sweet  songs  of  Zion,  and  feel  an  exhilaration 
of  spirit  to  which  they  have  long  been  strangers. 
It  is  not  so,  indeed,  with  all.  A  few  there  are 
whose  hearts  are  not  so  sanguine  —  who  wonder  if 
direction  has  been  asked  of  the  Lord  in  this  mat- 
ter— who  wonder  where  Elijah  is,  and  what  he 
says  —  who  have  great  confidence  in  Jehoram's 
father,  but  yet  dread  the  mingling  of  the  two 
courts,  and  the  influence  of  Athaliah  over  the 
young  prince.  They  are  few,  however ;  the 
majority  are  filled  with  the  most  delightful  hopes. 
There  is  rejoicing  in  the  groves,  and  high 
places,  and  in  the  temples  of  Baal  and  Ashtaroth  ; 
wild,  fearful  rejoicing,  and  the  bridal  is  there 
celebrated  with  rites  so  profane,  and  orgies  so  im- 
pious, that  we  attempt  not  their  description.  The 
priests  which  sit  at  Jezebel's  table  enter  into  the 
anticipations  of  their  mistress.  They,  too,  are 
glad  in  the  hope  of  a  union  between  Israel  and 
Judah,  but  it  is  a  union  not  for  good,  but  for  evil, 
which  they  desire.  They  look  to  see  Baal  yet 
enshrined  in  Jerusalem.  They  are  glad  in  ex- 


ATHALIAH.  251 

pectation  of  the  overthrow  of  that  mighty  power 
which  so  confounded  them  at  Garmel.  They 
hope  yet  to  triumph  over  the  mocking  prophet 
who  derided  them  in  the  day  of  their  confusion. 
They  shout  with  new  exultation  as  they  predict 
that  the  priests  of  Jehovah  will  soon  share  the 
fate  of  their  friends  who  perished  so  ingloriously 
at  Kishon. 

Jehoram  takes  his  bride  to  her  new  home.  Her 
youth,  and  already  queenly  beauty  and  dignity, 
become  her  station  well.  She  is  welcomed  and 
prospered,  and  all  things  smile  on  the  noble  pair. 

It  is  meet  there  should  be  rejoicing  and  gladness. 

****** 

It  is  a  time  of  woe  in  Jerusalem  !  Mourners 
go  about  the  streets,  and  sadness  sits  on  all  coun- 
tenances. The  good  Jehoshaphat  is  gathered  to 
his  fathers.  Twenty-five  years  he  has  reigned, 
"  doing  that  which  was  right  in  the  sight  of  the 
Lord,"  and  receiving  on  himself  and  his  king- 
dom the  blessing  of  those  who  serve  him.  He  is 
gone,  and  who  will  now  stand  in  his  place  ? 
Many  times  has  he  travelled  through  the  land, 
from  Beersheba  to  the  mountains  of  Ephraim,  to 


252  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

strengthen  his  people  in  the  faith,  and  to  bring 
back  many  to  Jehovah,  the  God  of  their  fathers. 
Who  will  again  prove  so  good  a  shepherd  to  this 
wandering  flock  ?  Who,  in  the  hour  of  peril, 
will  offer  sublime  and  effectual  prayer  ?  Who 
will  manifest  animating  and  encouraging  faith  in 
Jehovah,  as  he  did,  even  appointing  singers  to  go 
before  his  army  to  keep  their  hearts  from  faint- 
ness  by  praising  the  enduring  mercy  of  their 
God  ?  Who  will  now  see  that  justice  is  done  in 
every  fenced  city  and  every  hamlet,  and  enforce 
the  law  of  the  Lord  ? 

Jehoshaphat  is  dead.  Reason  enough  for  sor- 
row ;  but  this  is  not  the  sole  cause  of  the  gloom 
which  pervades  the  land  of  Judah.  In  untimely 
graves,  slain  by  a  brother's  hand,  lie  his  six 
noble  sons,  with  many  of  their  companions,  ' '  the 
princes  of  Israel;  "  and  many  homes  are  desolate, 
many  hearts  suddenly  widowed,  many  children 
are  fatherless,  and  fear  falls  on  all.  Why  was 
this  deed  done  1  These  were  inoffensive  men, 
enjoying  quietly  and  contentedly  the  privileges 
granted  them  by  their  father.  Jehoram  has  the 
throne.  Can  he  not  sit  securely  there  except 


ATHALIAH.  253 

these  are  put  out  of  life  ?  Who  instigated  this 
needless  cruelty  ?  Alas !  Jehoram  has  the 
daughter  of  Ahab  and  Jezebel  for  his  wife,  and 
the  same  evil  policy  which  has  so  long  governed 
in  Israel  now  bears  sway  in  Judah.  Darkness 
begins  to  gather  even  over  the  holy  city  and  the 
temple  of  Jehovah. 

Years  bring  no  changes  for  the  better.  Am- 
bition and  selfishness  are  the  ruling  principles  of 
the  court.  The  pure  worship  of  the  living  God 
is  fast  being  superseded  by  the  idolatrous  services 
to  Baal.  Groves  and  high  places  are  frequented, 
and  there  is  none  to  recall  with  gentle  voice,  and 
kindly  admonition,  these  straying  sheep.  The 
king  is  their  adviser  to  evil,  and  even  obliges 
them  to  do  honor  to  idols.  The  children  follow 
the  steps  of  their  parent.  "  The  sons  of  Atha- 
liah,  that  wicked  woman"  says  the  sacred  record, 
"broke  up  the  house  of  God,  and  also  all  the  ded- 
icated things  of  the  house  of  the  Lord  did  they 
bestow  upon  Baalim."  Retribution  at  length 
begins.  Tributary  nations  revolt ;  but  as  God  is 
not  sought  unto  against  them,  no  divine  blessing, 
as  of  old,  accompanies  the  armies,  and  the  king 
22 


254  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

fails  to  subdue  them.  Philistines,  Arabians, 
Ethiopians,  combine  and  ravish  the  country,  and 
carry  away  even  the  treasures  of  Jehoram's  house 
and  drag  his  children  to  captivity  and  death. 
The  hand  of  the  Lord,  whom  he  has  forsaken,  is 
in  all  these  calamities,  and  is  at  length  laid  heav- 
ily on  his  own  person.  A  loathsome  and  incur- 
able disease  brings  him  to  the  grave,  and  he 
departs  from  life  regretted  by  none,  not  even  by 
the  wife  of  his  youth,  to  whose  favor  and  influ- 
ence he  has  sacrificed  his  own  welfare  and  that 
of  his  kingdom  ;  who  has  been  to  him  in  the 
place  of  his  father's  God,  and  whose  selfish, 
cruel  nature  has  overborne  every  kindly  impulse, 
every  generous  and  good  principle,  which  might 
have  governed  him  in  his  younger  days,  when  his 
father  chose  to  leave  him  successor  to  his  throne. 
Athaliah,  unhumbled  by  the  afflictions  which 
have  befallen  her,  unsoftened  by  the  sufferings  of 
her  husband  and  children,  having  acted  the  part 
of  an  evil  wife,  now  assumes  one  still  more  re- 
volting. Her  only  remaining  son  ascends  the 
throne  of  his  father.  He  is  not  a  boy.  Forty- 
two  years  have  afforded  him  much  experience  and 


ATHALIAH.  255 

instruction.  The  greater  part  of  his  life  has  been 
spent  under  the  benign  and  gracious  influences 
of  his  grandfather's  reign,  and  he  has  seen  in  his 
father's  course  the  bitter  consequences  of  depart- 
ing from  the  Lord.  Perhaps  he  may  choose  the 
better  path.  Perchance,  trembling  at  the  awful 
denunciations  of  divine  wrath,  he  may  be  induced 
to  walk  cautiously,  and  save  himself  and  his  peo- 
ple. There  is  hope  yet  for  Judah.  Vain  expec- 
tation !  "  Ahaziah  walked  in  the  ways  of  the 
house  of  Ahab  :  for  his  mother  was  his  counsellor 
to  do  wickedly." 

How  great  the  change  which  has  passed  over 
the  chosen  people  since  the  day  of  that  joyous 
bridal,  which  was  to  so  many  the  harbinger  of  all 
good  things  !  Jehovah  is  forsaken.  Baal  is  for 
the  time  triumphant.  In  place  of  Zion's  songs 
are  the  profane  shouts  of  idolaters,  or  the  secret 
groans  and  tears  of  those  who  mourn  over  the 
desolations  of  the  sanctuary  as  for  the  loss  of  a 
first-born !  How  great  the  change  from  the 
youthful  bride,  to  Athaliah,  the  wife  and  mother, 
whose  very  name  is  an  execration  ! 


256  THE   MOTHERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

It  is  a  time  of  unmitigated  horror  in  the  land 
of  Judea.  Words  fail  to  describe  it.  Imagina- 
tion shrinks,  appalled,  on  the  threshold  of  the 
scene.  A  most  bitter  cup  is  wrung  out  for  hun- 
dreds of  agonized  hearts.  In  days  long  gone,  in 
the  field  of  the  murdered  Naboth,  the  stern  prophet 
of  the  Lord  had  foretold  to  Ahab  an  awful  scene 
of  destruction  which  should  come  upon  his  family 
for  his  sins,  and  that  himself  should  be  the  first 
victim  of  divine  vengeance.  Ahab  died  as  was 
predicted  ;  but  years  have  rolled  since  then,  and 
no  sign  of  any  further  fulfilment  of  those  prophet- 
ic words  has  yet  appeared,  and  those  most  con- 
cerned pursue  their  evil  way,  wholly  regardless 
of  them,  and  apparently  without  fear.  Elijah  has 
left  the  earth,  and  can  harm  them  no  more,  —  at 
least,  so  they  thought,  —  until,  mysteriously,  six 
years  after  his  ascension,  there  came  from  his 
hand  the  fearful  "  writing  "  to  Jehoram,  which 
warned  him  of  the  trouble  that  awaited  him,  and 
which  was  so  exactly  accomplished.  Perhaps 
they  sometimes  tremble  lest  they  should  again 
see  his  hated  form,  or  hear  his  terrible  words. 
Perhaps  they  now  and  then  remember  Elijah's 


ATHALIAII.  257 

God,  and  for  a  moment  quail.  But  if  such 
thoughts  do  visit  them,  they  have  no  restraining 
or  heneficial  effect.  Jezebel  still  rules  over  her 
son  and  his  people  in  Israel,  and  Athaliah  follows 
her  footsteps  in  Jerusalem,  little  dreaming  of  the 
storm  so  soon  to  burst  upon  them. 

The  time  has  now  come  !  Blood  flows  in  the 
streets  of  Jezreel,  and  blood  flows  in  Samaria ! 

—  at  the  shearing-house   in   the  way ;   in  the 
house  of  Baal ;  in  Jerusalem  !     Human  life  has 
no  value.      Human   affections   are    a   thing   of 
naught.     Nobles  and   princes  fall  by  a  bloody 
executioner,  and  not  a  hand  is  lifted  in  then- 
defence.     She  who  was  yesterday  the  reigning 
queen  of  Israel  —  the  haughty  daughter  of  Tyre, 
at  whose  word  men  trembled  —  to-day,  nothing 
can  be  found  of  her  but  the  palms  of  her  hands 
and  the  soles  of  her  feet ! 

But  of  all  the  horrors  of  this  awful  time,  those 
enacted  in  Jerusalem  exceed  the  rest.  A 
woman's  hand  will  outdo  even  the  blood-thirsty, 
cold-hearted  Jehu.  The  sudden  appearance  of 
men  bearing  the  body  of  her  just  murdered  son 

—  the  destruction  of  all  her  kindred — the  dread- 

22* 


258  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

ful  death  of  her  mother  —  nothing  can  for  a  mo- 
ment turn  Athaliah  from  her  thoughts  of  self- 
aggrandizement,  from  accomplishing  her  own 
ambitious  designs.  She  will  imbrue  her  hands 
in  blood.  She  will  not  take  the  life  of  men,  but 
of  children  —  infants  —  the  offspring  of  her  only 
son  —  those  whose  first  lispings  called  her  grand- 
mother ! 

We  can  follow  her  no  further.  We  sicken  at 
the  sight  of  such  a  monster  sitting  on  the  throne 
of  David.  We  said  there  appeared  no  redeem- 
ing traits  in  Jezebel's  character  ;  but,  when  com- 
pared with  her  daughter,  she  is  to  be  praised. 
"  Some  of  the  feelings  of  the  woman,  the  ten- 
derness of  the  wife,  the  fondness  of  the  mother, 
still  seem  to  have  lingered  in  her  proud  heart. 
Unprincipled  as  she  was,  she  did  not  abandon 
herself  to  utter  selfishness.  In  her  most  atrocious 
acts  she  seems  to  have  had  some  regard  to  the 
aggrandizement  of  her  family,  and  to  the  gratifi- 
cation of  her  husband.  Athaliah  is  utterly  selfish, 
devoid  even  of  the  instinct  of  natural  affection. 
Although  the  depravity  of  Jezebel  led  her  to 
adopt  a  corrupt  religion,  to  reject  a  pure  and 


ATHALIAH.  259 

holy  worship,  and  cling  to  the  dark  and  cruel 
rites  of  heathenism,  the  voice  of  conscience  was 
not  silenced,  the  light  of  the  soul  was  not  entire- 
ly extinguished.  She  felt  the  need  of  some  faith : 
she  clung  to  the  altars  of  her  gods.  But  Athaliah 
seerns  to  have  sunk  into  the  brutishness  of  those 
who  own  *  no  God.'  She  seems  to  have  tram- 
pled on  all  faith,  as  she  violated  all  obligation. 
She  had  high  mental  endowments  ;  she  had  a 
powerful  will  and  strong  passions,  but  she  had  no 
affections.  There  have  been  many  Jezebels,  but 
few  Athaliahs." 

The  children  of  both  these  mothers  were  such 
as  we  should  expect,  save  only  one,  Jehosheba, 
the  daughter  of  Athaliah,  and  wife  of  Jehoidah 
the  high  priest.  She,  in  the  day  of  her  mother's 
insane  cruelty,  saved  alive  her  brother's  infant 
son,  and  in  the  sacred  recesses  of  the  temple 
acted  toward  him  a  mother's  part,  and,  with  her 
excellent  husband,  trained  him  up  in  the  fear  of 
the  Lord.  It  is  refreshing  to  turn  the  thoughts 
to  her  and  her  charge  during  these  gloomy  years. 
Her  trials  must  have  been  severe.  Her  pure 
spirit  must  have  been  sorely  afflicted,  and  we 


260  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

think  she  must  have  been  relieved  when  the 
gloomy  tragedy  ended  in  the  death  of  her  moth- 
er, violent  though  it  was,  as  she  knew  it  must 
be.  Of  the  days  in  which  Jezebel  and  AthaHah 
lived  we  have  yet  more  to  say. 


THE  WIDOW  OF  ZAREPHATH. 

BAAL  has  almost  triumphed  in  Israel.  Ahab 
is  yet  alive  and  unreformed  ;  Jezebel,  his  impi- 
ous consort,  is  still  mad  upon  her  idols ;  the 
prophets  are  prophesying  lies  ;  the  priests  are 
bearing  rule  by  their  means,  and  the  people  love 
to  have  it  so.  Desolating  drouth  and  famine 
from  Jehovah  afflict  the  tribes  who  have  wan- 
dered so  grievously,  and  extend  into  all  the  sur- 
rounding country.  Distress  and  death  are  in 
many  households,  and  even  ignorant  idolaters 
begin  to  tremble  at  the  displeasure  of  the  He- 
brew God,  though  neither  they  nor  Israel  are 
prepared  to  propitiate  him  by  repentance  and 

obedience. 

****** 

Twilight  is  beginning  to  gather  over  the  inhab- 
itants of  a  small  town  in  the  borders  of  Sidon, 
and  with  the  twilight  a  deeper  gloom  than  any 
night  could  bring.  Gaunt  figures  move  languid- 
ly about ;  despairing  tones  fall  sadly  on  the  ear  ; 


262  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

animation,  vigor,  joy,  seem  to  have  fled  from 
every  countenance  ;  even  childhood  has  lost  its 
"  birthright  of  gladness,"  and  moans  take  the 
place  of  songs.  Nature  around  sympathizes  with 
this  universal  dreariness.  Not  a  green  thing  is 
to  be  seen.  The  parched,  baked  earth  gives  a 
sound  under  every  footstep ;  the  rain  of  the 
land  is  powder  and  dust.  No  placid  lake,  no 
sparkling  rill,  refreshes  the  eye  ;  no  murmur  of 
flowing  waters  is  heard.  Men  have  ceased  to 
look  upward  with  hopeful  glances,  and  the  ques- 
tion has  not  been  put  for  a  long  time,  "Are  there 
any  signs  of  rain  ?  "  Every  morning  the  sun 
lifts  his  undiinmed  eye  as  if  to  gaze  in  mocking 
joy  upon  the  scene,  and  sends  his  scorching  rays 
pitilessly  down  through  the  long  hours,  not  once 
halting  in  his  course,  nor  seeking  for  a  moment 
his  pavilion  of  clouds  ;  and  his  parting  look,  as 
he  sinks  to  his  rest  at  night,  red  with  his  fiery 
march,  but  promises  another  morrow  like  this 
day,  only  more  terrible.  From  the  hill-sides  is 
heard  the  sound  of  lowing  herds  and  bleating 
sheep,  and  groups  of  men  come  slowly  and  sadly 
from  a  vain  search  for  greener  pastures  and  water 


THE    WIDOW    OF    ZAREPI1ATII.  263 

wherewith  to  stay  the  thirst  of  their  suffering 
cattle.  Lord  God  Almighty,  who  can  stand  be- 
fore thy  judgments  ! 

As  the  twilight  deepens,  a  female  form  is  seen, 
with  wan  countenance  and  languid  steps,  emerging 
from  a  small  cottage.  She  wanders  slowly  on, 
gathering  dried  sticks  in  her  hand,  when  she  is 
suddenly  accosted  by  a  stranger  with  the  earnest 
request,  "  Bring  me,  I  pray  thee,  a  little  water 
in  a  vessel,  that  I  may  drink."  The  tone  is  one 
of  distress,  and  she  looks  up  to  see  from  whom 
it  comes.  A  man  of  dark,  stern  aspect,  clothed 
in  skins,  with  a  staff  in  his  hand,  stands  before 
her,  evidently  worn  and  weary  with  long  travel, 
and  suffering  from  want.  A  glance  is  sufficient 
to  inform  her  whence  he  comes,  though  she  has 
never  before  seen  him.  None  in  all  that  region 
can  be  ignorant  of  the  minutest  particulars  of 
the  appearance  of  Elijah,  the  terrible  prophet  of 
Jehovah,  for  whom  Ahab  has  searched  every 
kingdom  and  country,  that  he  might  destroy  him. 
Why  is  he  here,  so  far  from  his  friends,  and  in 
the  land  of  his  deadliest  foes  ?  Comes  he  peace- 
ably, or  with  further  denunciations  of  vengeance 


264  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

against  the  followers  of  Baal  ?  She  knows  not 
—  asks  not.  Moved  by  his  need  and  by  an  un- 
seen influence,  she  returns  at  his  request  to  bring 
him  a  portion  of  the  precious  beverage  which 
still  remains  to  her.  As  she  is  about  to  enter 
the  house,  he  again  addresses  her.  "  Bring  me, 
I  pray  thee,  a  morsel  of  bread  in  thine  hand." 
This  is  beyond  her  power.  She  now  speaks,  and 
the  whole  story  of  her  own  woes  finds  utterance 
in  few  but  expressive  words.  "  As  the  Lord 
thy  God  liveth,  I  have  not  a  cake,  but  a  handful 
of  meal  in  a  barrel,  and  a  little  oil  in  a  cruse  ; 
and,  behold,  I  am  gathering  two  sticks  that  I 
may  go  in  and  dress  it  for  me  and  my  son,  that 
we  may  eat  it  and  die."  Despair  is  in  her  tones 
and  her  countenance.  She  seems  to  expect  no 
deliverance ;  but  Elijah  has  now  for  her  words 
of  cheer.  "  Fear  not :  go  and  do  as  thou  hast 
said ;  but  make  me  a  little  cake  first,  and  bring 
it  unto  me,  and  after  make  for  thee  and  thy  sou. 
For  thus  saith  the  Lord  God  of  Israel,  The  barrel 
of  meal  shalt  not  waste,  neither  shall  the  cruse 
of  oil  fail,  until  the  day  that  the  Lord  sendeth 
rain  upon  the  earth." 


THE   WIDOW    OF    ZAREPHATH.  265 

The  drouth  still  continues,  and  men's  hearts 
fail  them,  and  human  beings  and  beasts  perish  ; 
but,  in  the  dwelling  of  the  widow,  comfort  from 
this  time  reigns.  Morning,  noon,  and  night,  she 
finds  the  handful  of  meal  in  the  barrel  and  the 
little  oil  in  the  cruse.  It  does  not  increase.  No 
quantity  at  any  time  assures  her  of  a  supply  for 
days  to  come,  or  raises  her  above  the  need  of 
faith.  Neither  does  it  waste,  nor  fail.  She 
takes  what  she  needs,  and  there  is  always  a  little 
still  remaining. 

"  So,  perhaps,  thou,  Christian,  wilt  not  receive 
any  superabundance  of  believing  joyfulness,  so 
as  to  be  enabled  to  shout  for  joy  in  the  furnace 
of  affliction  ;  but  rest  assured  of  the  faithfulness 
of  thy  God,  that  he  will  uphold  thy  faith.  This 
thy  compassionate  High  Priest  has  implored  for 
thee,  as  well  as  for  his  apostle  Peter  ;  and  he 
will  daily  supply  thee  with  so  much  patience,  by 
daily  renewing  it,  that  although  thou  mayest 
occasionally  doubt  and  droop,  thou  shalt  never 
despair  or  perish." 

Two  years  pass,  and  Elijah  resides  with  the 
widow  of  Zarephath  in  peaceful  seclusion.  She 
23 


266  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

attends  to  his  temporal  wants,  and  he  instructs 
her  in  the  word  of  the  Lord.  For  the  first  time 
she  now  learns  the  truth  that  there  is  one  only 
living  and  true  God,  and  understands  how  just  is 
his  displeasure  towards  those  who  worship  images 
their  own  hands  have  made,  or  the  sun  and  the 
moon,  which  are  his  creatures.  Conscience  is 
awakened  in  her  breast.  She  is  taught  his  claims 
upon  herself;  and  her  own  individual  responsibil- 
ity, as  one  whom  he  has  created  and  sustains,  is 
brought  to  bear  upon  her.  She  is  enlightened 
day  by  day ;  and  when,  at  last,  her  only  son 
sickens  and  dies,  the  work  of  conviction  is  com- 
plete. She  draws  immediately  her  own  conclu- 
sions, and  bitter  indeed  to  her  soul  they  are. 
Israel  departs  from  the  Lord,  and  dreadful  famine 
is  sent  in  punishment.  She,  on  whom  he  has 
bestowed  all  the  blessings  of  life,  has  never 
known  or  worshipped  him  ;  and,  though  in- 
structed by  his  prophet,  she  has  been  slow  to 
believe,  and  now  her  punishment  has  come.  She 
has  seen  her  child,  her  only  and  most  precious 
one,  die  before  her  eyes.  She  is  alone  in  the 
world,  and  to  her  own  ingratitude  and  sinfuliiess 


THE   WIDOW    OF    ZAREPHATH.  2G7 

she  must  lay  her  sorrow.  Her  whole  life  rises 
up  before  her,  and  seems  to  her  still  ignorant 
mind  to  have  been  just  recalled  to  the  mind  of 
Jehovah.  She  trembles.  She  wishes  Elijah  had 
never  come  under  her  roof.  She  might  then 
have  lived  on  unremembered.  By  a  most  com- 
mon development  of  human  nature,  her  goaded 
feelings  find  expression  in  reproaches  against 
another,  though  the  turmoil  is  within  herself. 

Elijah  pities  from  his  inmost  heart  this  friend 
who  has  shown  so  much  kindness  to  him  in  his 
need,  and,  taking  her  dead  child  from  her,  goes 
to  his  chamber;  and  there  transpires  the  scene 
which  is  familiar  to  all  Bible  readers,  and  is  most 
sublime,  even  incomprehensible  to  our  weak  faith, 
the  result  of  which  restored  to  the  afflicted  widow 
her  child  and  sealed  her  an  heir  of  the  Covenant, 
and  so  accomplished  one  end  which  was  intended 
in  his  sojourn  in  the  land  of  idolaters. 

The  widow  of  Zarephath  is  one  of  six  or  more 
mothers  mentioned  in  the  Bible,  in  whose  behalf 
miracles  were  performed,  and,  in  every  instance, 
to  save  the  life  of  their  children.  How  much 
more  will  our  heavenly  Father  be  willing  to  give 


268  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

us  the  eternal  salvation  of  the  dear  ones  for  whom 
we  pray  ! 

There  are  volumes  of  instruction  in  this  short 
narrative.  The  situation  of  Israel  during  those 
years  —  the  trial  of  Elijah's  faith  —  the  career 
of  Ahab  and  his  family  —  the  results  of  God's 
dealings  with  this  humble  woman,  —  all  draw 
forth  our  meditations,  and  are  deeply  interesting. 
We  advise  our  readers  to  study  Dr.  Krummacher's 
"Elijah  the  Tishbite,"  and  promise  them,  in  so 
doing,  as  refreshing  a  draught  as  was  the  cup  of 
cold  water  the  prophet  received  at  the  widow's 
hand  when  he  stopped  at  her  door  after  his  long 
walk  from  Cherith. 


THE   SHUNAMITE. 

JEIIORAM,  the  son  of  Ahab,  reigns  in  Israel. 
Elijah  has  gone  from  his  earthly  trials,  and  en- 
tered on  the  heavenly  rest  —  not  dying  alone 
under  the  juniper  tree,  as  he  once  begged  he 
might,  but  borne  triumphantly  upward  —  his 
equipage  a  royal  one  —  his  convoy,  angelic 
bands.  His  mantle  has  fallen  on  Elisha,  who 
now  goes  up  and  down,  strengthening  weak 
hands,  comforting  sad  hearts,  instructing  the 
ignorant,  warning  the  perverse,  and  prophesy- 
ing, in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  of  the  things 
which  are  to  come.  Like  one  who,  in  the  days 
of  his  flesh,  "  went  about  doing  good,"  "hiding 
his  power,"  Elisha's  mission  was  one  of  mercy. 
He  dealt  more  in  loving-kindness  than  in  re- 
bukes, and,  unlike  his  stern  predecessor,  was 
more  loved  than  feared.  Jn  his  journeyings  to 
and  from  the  various  schools  of  the  prophets,  he 
passes  often  through  the  town  of  Shunem,  and 
forms  there  a  pleasant  and  refreshing  acquaint- 
23* 


270  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

ance  with  one  of  the  few  families  who  still  wor- 
ship and  reverence  the  God  of  their  fathers,  and 
have  not  bowed  the  knee  to  Baal.  The  mistress 
of  the  family  first  invites  him  to  make  her  house 
his  resting-place,  and  at  last,  with  the  consent  of 
her  husband,  has  a  separate  apartment  built  for 
his  use  alone,  and  thus  provides  him  a  home 
under  her  roof,  and  secures  his  frequent  pres- 
ence, and  therewith  the  blessing  of  Jehovah. 
What  can  I  do  for  her  ?  is  Elisha's  first  thought, 
as  he  takes  possession  of  the  comfortable  "  cham- 
ber," and  sees  its  appliances,  and  appreciates  the 
considerate  kindness  which  prompted  to  this  good 
deed.  He  sends  his  servant  to  call  her,  and  asks 
her  if  he  shall  speak  for  her  to  the  king.  He 
has  an  interest  at  court.  But  a  short  time  since 
he  saved  the  lives  of  three  kings,  under  God ;  and 
if  she  has  any  request  to  make,  his  name  will 
secure  its  fulfilment.  But  she  is  a  contented 
woman.  She  desires  nothing  that  royalty  can 
bestow,  so  she  retires,  leaving  Elisha  still  in  her 
debt.  He  appeals  to  his  servant.  What,  then, 
is  to  be  done  for  her,  Gehazi  ?  Gehazi  has  not 
failed  to  notice  a  great  lack  in  the  otherwise  de- 


THE    SHUNAMITE.  271 

lightful  home  of  this  good  woman.  She  has  a 
husband  on  whom  she  leans  —  friends  in  whom 
she  trusts  —  an  abundance  of  this  world's  goods ; 
but  she  is,  nevertheless,  a  lone  woman ;  she  has 
no  child.  No  smiling  babe  has  ever  lain  in  her 
bosom  ;  no  tiny  hand  has  ever  been  placed  con- 
fidingly in  hers  ;  no  tottering  footsteps  follow  her 
as  she  pursues  her  household  avocations ;  110 
sweet,  lisping  voice  calls  her  mother ;  no  bird- 
like  notes  make  perpetual  music  by  her  hearth- 
stone. There  is  a  want  in  her  house  and  in  her 
heart. 

"  A  babe  in  a  house  is  a  well-spring  of  pleasure,  —  a  messenger 

of  peaco  and  love ; 

A  resting-place  for  innocence  on  earth  ;  a  link  between  angels" 
and  men." 

And  how  sad  a  house  is  that  where  no  such 
well-spring  sends  forth  its  sweet  waters,  purify- 
ing from  selfish  loves,  and  pouring  out  its  tide  of 
generous  and  holy  joys  !  How  lonely  the  home 
to  which  the  Creator  sends  no  such  messenger  to 
whisper  from  himself  a  loving  rebuke  to  hardened 
hearts,  and  to  call  forth  all  gentle,  peace-breath- 


272  THE    MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

ing  thoughts  and  aspirations !  How  weary  the 
home  which  has  no  such  resting-place  ;  where 
dwell  only  those  who  have  been  long  conversant 
with  sins  and  follies,  and  have  forgotten  their 
guileless  days  !  How  far  from  heaven,  alas  !  is 
that  home  which  has  no  sweet  link  between  men 
and  angels  —  where  no  cradled  cherub  communes 
in  its  smiling  sleep  with  sister  spirits,  and  lifts 
the  heart  of  fond  parental  love  involuntarily  to 
the  pure  and  blessed  abode  of  those  who  day  and 
night  sing  praises  to  their  eternal  King ! 

0,  sordid,  selfish,  earthly  heart,  which  shrink- 
est  from  the  care,  and  toil,  and  self-sacrifice,  that 
infancy  and  childhood  impose,  and  would  fain  go 
on  thy  way  without  such  cumbrance  !  how  foolish 
and  ignorant  thou  provest  thyself !  how  misera- 
bly dost  thou  mistake  in  the  matter  of  thy  hap- 
piness !  Thou  wast  not  made  to  dwell  at  ease, 
nor  canst  thou.  Some  care  and  labor,  God  will 
surely  lay  on  thee.  How  much  better  than  all 
other,  that  which  will  reward  thee  sevenfold  — 
which  will  elevate  and  refine,  and  emancipate 
thy  grovelling  soul !  Thou  wast  not  made  to 
live  alone,  and  if  thou  wilt  not  have  the  com- 


THE    SIIUNAN1TE.  273 

pamonship  which  God  made  thy  nature  to  crave, 
thou  shalt  pine  in  discontent  and  weariness.  Life 
shall  often  seem  to  thee  a  wilderness,  though 
thou  art  surrounded  with  a  thousand  blessings 
and  have  scores  of  friends.  Deep  in  thy  secret 
heart  ennui  and  distaste  of  all  pleasures  shall  be 
a  frequent  guest ;  thou  shalt  be  in  want,  and 
know  not  what  thou  desirest.  The  blessing  of 
God  in  its  fulness  shall  not  rest  on  thee,  because 
thou  art  not  willing  to  do  his  work  and  fulfil  his 
commands. 

Thou  sad  heart,  which  art  by  Providence  de- 
nied the  boon  for  which,  like  Hannah,  thou  hast 
often  prayed,  yield  meekly  to  his  decrees,  who 
has  assured  thee  that  all  things  shall  work  for 
thy  good.  He  hath  some  richer  gift  for  thee.  If 
thou  walk  the  path  of  privation  humbly,  he  will 
give  thee  "a  name  better  than  of  sons  and 
daughters."  Himself  hath  spoken  it. 

"  What  shall  we  do  for  this  Shunamite  ?"  says 
Elisha.  "Verily  she  hath  no  child,"  answers 
Gehazi,  "  and  her  husband  is  old."  "  Call  her," 
says  Elisha;  and  she  stands  in  the  door.  "A 
few  months  hence  thou  shalt  embrace  a  son,"  is 


274  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

the  astounding  intelligence  to  which  she  listens, 
and  for  which  she  has  no  credence.  "0,  man 
of  God,  do  not  lie  unto  me!  Too  many  years 
have  I  longed  in  vain  for  such  a  blessing,  and 
now  it  cannot  be.  I  hope  no  more.  Do  not 
wake  again  fond  dreams  in  iny  foolish  heart. 
Leave  me  to  the  forced  content  which  has  so  long 
been  my  portion,  and  to  the  employments  which 

are  the  solace  of  niy  lonely  life." 

*  #          .    #  *  # 

It  was  no  lie  which  the  man  of  God  uttered. 
Years  have  passed  since  he  said  to  his  kind  host- 
ess, "  Thou  shalt  embrace  a  son  ;"  and  now  see 
wherever  about  the  house,  or  in  the  court,  her 
labors  require  her,  a  little  boy,  with  busy  feet 
and  prattling  tongue,  follows  on,  and  none  but  a 
mother's  heart  can  guess  what  showers  of  unut- 
tered  blessings  attend  his  every  step.  She  stops 
to  caress  him,  she  arrays  him  in  fitting  garments, 
ties  his  hat  under  his  dimpled  chin,  kisses  him 
again  and  again,  and  "bids  a  servant  take  him  to 
his  father  in  the  field.  With  animated  step  and 
happy  looks  she  pursues  her  work,  preparing  the 


THE    SHUNAMITE.  275 

meal  which  the  laborers  in  that  weary  field,  under 
the  burning  sun,  will  soon  need. 

Suddenly  she  is  summoned.  The  little  boy  is 
ill,  and  one  has  brought  him  back  to  her.  She 
takes  him  on  her  lap,  wipes  his  face  where  the 
moisture  stands,  folds  him  tenderly  in  her  arms, 
and  looks  anxiously  upon  him.  He  utters  no 
cry,  but  moans,  "My  head!  my  head !"  She 
bathes  his  fair  brow,  and  soothes  him  with  a 
cradle-song ;  but  he  grows  no  better.  He  suffers, 
and  anguish  rends  her  heart.  He  gasps  and 
shudders,  and  his  little  arms  relax  their  hold  of 
her  neck.  Can  it  be  ?  His  life  has  fled  !  Once 
more  "  she  has  no  child."  She  gazes  for  a  mo- 
ment vacantly  upon  the  lifeless  form,  and  then, 
roused  by  a  sudden  impulse,  rises  and  bears  him 
to  that  consecrated  chamber  where  she  first  re- 
ceived the  promise  of  his  life.  Cannot  the  power 
which  gave  him  to  her  recall  him  now  ?  She 
lays  him  on  the  prophet's  bed,  and  with  one 
longing,  lingering  look,  she  calmly  closes  the 
door,  and  leaves  him  there.  As  calmly  she  calls 
to  her  husband,  and  begs  him  to  send  her  a  ser- 
vant and  an  ass,  saying  she  wishes  to  go  to 


276  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

Elisha,  and  will  soon  return  ;  and  when  he  ques- 
tions of  the  reason  for  this  sudden  determination, 
she  simply  answers,  "It  shall  be  well."  He  has 
forgotten  that  his  boy  was  ill,  so  slight  seemed 
his  trouble,  and  she  does  not  tell  him  that  he  is 
childless.  No  faltering  of  voice,  no  tears,  appeal 
to  him  for  sympathy.  A  faith  stronger  than 
death  has  taken  possession  of  her  soul,  and  she 
will  try  its  efficacy  before  she  so  grievously 
afflicts  the  father's  heart. 

She  comes  to  Mount  Carmel,  and,  as  she  draws 
near,  Gehazi  meets  her,  and  asks,  by  Elisha's 
direction,  if  all  is  well  with  her  and  her  family. 
"It  is  well,"  she  answers.  She  has  no  errand 
to  Gehazi  —  no  words  to  waste. 

She  presses  on,  and,  hastily  descending  from 
the  ass,  throws  herself  upon  the  ground,  and 
clasps  Elisha's  feet,  but  speaks  not.  The  man 
of  God  is  perplexed.  The  friend  who  has  been 
ever  considerate  and  kind  to  him,  in  such  trouble, 
and  the  cause  hidden  from  him !  At  last  her 
overcharged  heart  utters  forth  its  bitterness. 
"Did  I  desire  a  son  of  my  lord  ?  Did  I  not 
say,  Do  not  deceive  me  ?  "  He  understands  it 


THE    SHUNAMITE.  277 

now.  "  Gird  up  thy  loins,  Gehazi,"  he  says 
quickly,  "  and  take  my  staff  in  thy  hand,  and  go 
thy  way  :  if  thou  meet  any  man,  salute  him  not ; 
and  if  any  salute  thee,  answer  him  not  again : 
and  lay  my  staff  upon  the  face  of  the  child." 
Does  Elisha  think  the  mother  will  be  satisfied  ? 
No;  her  faith  does  not  follow  Gehazi.  She 
still  clings  to  him  whose  words  first  awakened  in 
her  heart  a  mother's  hopes.  He  must  himself  go 
with  her.  And  he  will.  Silently  they  pursue 
their  way,  till  Gehazi  meets  them  with  the  words, 
"  The  child  is  not  awaked."  They  come  to  the 
house  and  enter.  Death  has  hushed  all  that  was 
joyous  there.  Elisha  goes  to  his  own  room  — 
the  mother  we  know  not  whither.  And  while 
that  sublime  scene  is  transpiring,  in  which  the 
human  soul,  already  passed  within  the  veil,  is 
recalled  to  its  earthly  tabernacle,  by  the  power 
of  a  mortal's  prayer,  how  is  she  employed  ?  We 
are  not  told,  but  something  whispers  in  our  hearts 
that  perchance  the  mother's  faith  and  mother's 
supplications  took  hold  on  the  everlasting  and 
Almighty  arm,  as  truly  as  did  those  of  the 
prophet. 

24 


278  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

We  cannot  fathom  the  counsels  of  the  Al- 
mighty, nor  give  a  reason  why  this  mother,  after 
enduring  the  pangs  of  separation  from  her  child, 
should  have  been  permitted  the  joy  of  embracing 
him  again,  and  seeing  him  live  on  to  manhood. 
"He  doeth  all  things  well,"  as  well  when  he 
takes  finally,  as  when  he  restores.  His  plans  are 
far-reaching.  He  would  have  every  one  of  his 
children  "  partake  of  his  holiness,"  and  one 
method  secures  this  result  in  some,  which  would 
not  avail  with  others.  The  widow  of  Zarephath 
and  the  Shunamite  "  received  their  dead  raised 
to  life  again,"  and  the  prophet's  widow  had  a 
miracle  worked  in  her  behalf,  to  save  her  sons 
from  being  sold  as  bondmen,  while  multitudes 
around  them  endured  the  common  lot.  The  only 
way  of  peace  for  the  reflecting  mind  is  to  study 
the  character  of  our  God,  as  he  is  revealed  in 
Jesus  Christ,  and  then  meekly  to  say, 

"  0  Lord  my  God,  do  thou  thy  holy  will." 

THE  SHUNAMITE. 
It  was  a  sultry  day  of  summer  time. 
The  sun  poured  down  upon  the  ripened  grain 
With  quivering  heat,  and  the  suspended  leaves 


THE    SHUNAMLTE.  279 

Hung  motionless.     The  cattle  on  the  hills 
Stood  still,  and  the  divided  flock  were  all 
Laying  their  nostrils  to  the  cooling  roots, 
And  the  sky  looked  like  silver,  and  it  seemed 
As  if  the  air  had  fainted,  and  the  pulse 
Of  nature  had  run  down,  and  ceased  to  beat. 

Haste  thee,  my  child  !  "  the  Syrian  mother  said, 

"  Thy  father  is  athirst "  —  and,  from  the  depths 

Of  the  cool  well  under  the  leaning  tree, 

She  drew  refreshing  water,  and  with  thoughts 

Of  God's  sweet  goodness  stirring  at  her  heart, 

She  blessed  her  beautiful  boy,  and  to  his  way 

Committed  him.     And  he  went  lightly  on, 

With  his  soft  hands  pressed  closely  to  the  cool 

Stone  vessel,  and  his  little  naked  feet 

Lifted  with  watchful  care ;  and  o'er  the  hills, 

And  through  the  light  green  hollows  where  the  lambs 

Go  for  the  tender  grass,  he  kept  his  way, 

Wiling  its  distance  with  his  simple  thoughts, 

Till,  in  the  wilderness  of  sheaves,  with  brows 

Throbbing  with  heat,  he  set  his  burden  down. 

Childhood  is  restless  ever,  and  the  boy 
Stayed  not  within  the  shadow  of  the  tree, 
But  with  a  joyous  industry  went  forth 
Into  the  reapers'  places,  and  bound  up 
His  tiny  sheaves,  and  plaited  cunningly 
The  pliant  withs  out  of  the -shining  straw  — 
Cheering  their  labor  on.  till  they  forgot 
The  heat  and  weariness  of  their  stooping  toil 


280  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

In  the  beguiling  of  his  playful  mirth. 

Presently  he  was  silent,  and  his  eye 

Closed  as  with  dizzy  pain,  and  with  his  hand 

Pressed  hard  upon  his  forehead,  and  his  breast 

Heaving  with  the  suppression  of  a  cry, 

He  uttered  a  faint  murmur,  and  fell  back 

Upon  the  loosened  sheaf,  insensible. 

They  bore  him  to  his  mother,  and  he  lay 
Upon  her  knees  till  noon  —  and  then  he  died ! 
She  had  watched  every  breath,  and  kept  her  hand 
Soft  on  his  forehead,  and  gazed  in  upon 
The  dreamy  languor  of  his  listless  eye, 
And  she  had  laid  back  all  his  sunny  curls, 
And  kissed  his  delicate  lip,  and  lifted  him 
Into  her  bosom,  till  her  heart  grew  strong  — 
His  beauty  was  so  unlike  death  !     She  leaned 
Over  him  now,  that  she  might  catch  the  low 
Sweet  music- of  his  breath,  that  she  had  learned 
To  love  when  he  was  slumbering  at  her  side 
In  his  unconscious  infancy  — 

«  _  So  still ! 

'Tis  a  soft  sleep !     How  beautiful  he  lies, 
"With  his  fair  forehead,  and  the  rosy  veins 
Playing  so  freshly  in  his  sunny  cheek  ! 
How  could  they  say  that  he  would  die  ?     0  God  ! 
I  could  not  lose  him  !    I  have  treasured  all 
His  childhood  in  my  heart,  and  even  now, 
As  he  has  slept,  my  memory  has  been  there, 
Counting  like  treasures  all  his  winning  ways  — 
His  unforgotten  sweetness : 


THE    SIIUNAMITE.  281 

«_  Yet  so  still  !  — 

How  like  this  breathless  slumber  is  to  death  ! 
I  could  believe  that  in  that  bosom  now 
There  were  no  pulse —  it  beats  so  languidly 
I  cannot  see  it  stir ;  but  his  red  lip ! 
Death  would  not  be  so  very  beautiful ! 
And  that  half  smile —  would  death  have  left  that  there? 

—  And  should  I  not  have  felt  that  he  would  die  ? 
And  have  I  not  wept  over  him  ?  —  and  prayed 
Morning  and  night  for  him  ?     And  could  he  die  ? 

—  No —  God  will  keep  him  !     He  will  be  my  pride 
Many  long  years  to  come,  and  his  fair  hair 

"Will  darken  like  his  father's,  and  his  eye 
Be  of  a  deeper  blue  when  he  is  grown  ; 
And  he  will  be  so  tall,  and  I  shall  look 
With  such  a  pride  upon  him  !  —  He  to  die  !  " 
And  the  fond  mother  lifted  his  soft  curls, 
And  smiled,  as  if  't  were  mockery  to  think 
That  such  fair  things  could  perish  — 
—  Suddenly 

Her  hand  shrunk  from  him,  and  the  color  fled 
From  her  fixed  lip,  and  her  supporting  knees 
Were  shook  beneath  her  child.     Her  hand  had  touched 
His  forehead,  as  she  dallied  with  his  hair  — 
And  it  was  cold  —  like  clay  !     Slow,  very  slow, 
Came  the  misgiving  that  her  child  was  dead. 
She  sat  a  moment,  and  her  eyes  were  closed 
In  a  dumb  prayer  for  strength,  and  then  she  took 
His  little  hand  and  pressed  it  earnestly  — 
And  put  her  lip  to  his  —  and  looked  again 
Fearfully  on  him  —  and,  then  bending  low, 

24* 


282  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

She  whispered  in  his  ear,  "  My  son  !  —  my  son !  " 
And  as  the  echo  died,  and  not  a  sound 
Broke  on  the  stillness,  and  he  lay  there  still  — 
Motionless  on  her  knee  —  the  truth  would  come  ! 
And  with  a  sharp,  quick  cry,  as  if  her  heart 
Were  crushed,  she  lifted  him  and  held  him  close 
Into  her  bosom  —  with  a  mother's  thought  — 
As  if  Death  had  no  power  to  touch  him  there ! 
****** 

The  man  of  God  came  forth,  and  led  the  child 

Unto  his  mother,  and  went  on  his  way 

And  he  was  there  —  her  beautiful  —  her  own  — 

Living  and  smiling  on  her  —  with  his  arms 

Folded  upon  her  neck,  and  his  warm  breath 

Breathing  upon  her  lips,  and  in  her  ear 

The  music  of  his  gentle  voice  once  more ! 


THE   MOTHER  OF  JOB'S   CHILDREN. 

THE  view  of  a  prospered  and  happy  family 
first  presents  itself  to  us,  as  we  open  the  book  of 
Job.  A  noble  father — an  upright  man,  who 
"fears  God  and  eschews  evil."  One  who  is  re- 
vered and  honored  by  all  who  know  him  ;  before 
whom  aged  and  young  alike  rise  up ;  in  defer- 
ence to  whose  wisdom  princes  refrain  from  talk- 
ing, and  nobles  hold  their  peace  ;  whom  no  one 
sees  without  bestowing  just  words  of  praise  ; 
whose  voice  none  hear  without  uttering  a  bless- 
ing on  the  speaker.  One  who  befriends  the 
friendless,  and  is  a  father  to  the  poor ;  who  is 
eyes  to  the  blind,  and  feet  to  the  lame  ;  who 
causes  the  widow's  heart  to  sing  for  joy,  and  is 
a  defender  of  the  injured  and  forlorn.  One  whose 
smile  gladdens  a  whole  community,  and  who  sits 
chief  among  them,  the  comforter  of  all  that 
mourn. 

A  mother  and  ten  sons  and  daughters  grace 
the  home  of  this  noble  patriarch,  and  are  to  him 


284  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

as  the  light  of  his  eyes.  The  abundant  blessing 
of  Heaven  rests  upon  them.  The  candle  of  the 
Lord  lightens  their  every  darkened  hour,  and  the 
secret  of  God  is  in  their  dwellings.  They  wash 
their  steps  in  butter,  and  the  rock  pours  them 
out  rivers  of  oil.  Wealth,  and  station,  and  fair 
character  among  men,  they  have ;  the  approba- 
tion of  the  Almighty  is  theirs,  and  a  pure  faith 
sanctifies  and  hallows  all  their  days. 

They  live  in  the  most  delightful  harmony. 
The  father  and  mother  and  sisters  seem  to  oc- 
cupy one  home,  and  the  brothers,  with  wives  and 
families  of  their  own,  are  settled  all  around, 
forming  the  most  charming  of  all  earthly  social 
circles.  We  feel  our  hearts  glow  as  we  imagine 
their  many  sources  of  joy.  The  welcome  and 
heartfelt  satisfaction  of  the  father  and  mother,  as 
they  come  in,  one  after  another,  of  an  evening, 
each  with  an  incident  to  contribute  to  the  gen- 
eral conversation  —  their  interests  all  identified 
—  their  hopes  and  fears,  and  perplexities  and 
comforts,  mutual ;  the  animation  of  the  sisters, 
as  they  prepare,  from  time  to  time,  for  the  birth- 
day feasts  which  the  brothers  give  in  their  sev- 


THE   MOTHER    OF    JOB'S    CHILDREN.  285 

eral  houses,  and  which  they  enjoy  so  much,  — 
spending  in  each  family  seven  days  of  uninter- 
rupted hilarity ;  and  the  closing  gathering,  under 
the  paternal  roof,  when  the  father  and  priest 
sanctifies  them  all,  and  pours  out  his  fervent 
prayers  for  the  pardon  of  their  sins  —  remember- 
ing even  the  possible  transgression  of  their 
thoughts  —  and  then  sends  them  forth  again  with 
his  blessing  and  love.  It  would  be  difficult  to 
picture  a  more  complete  scene  of  earthly  hap- 
piness. 

Earthly  happiness !  There  is  insecurity  and 
instability  in  the  very  name  !  Draw  out,  and  em- 
bellish, and  complete  the  most  perfect  ideal  of 
joy,  and  write  under  it  "  earthly,"  it  is  marred 
and  defaced.  This  is  the  alloy  which  destroys 
the  value  of  our  most  precious  things.  This  is 
the  drop  which  embitters  our  purest  draughts. 
Heaven  were  no  longer  heaven  could  one  thought 
of  change  be  admitted  into  it. 

"  0,  ye  blest  scenes  of  permanent  delight ! 
Full  above  measure !  lasting  beyond  bound  ! 
A  perpetuity  of  bliss  is  bliss. 
Could  you,  so  rich  in  rapture,  fear  an  end, 


286  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

That  ghastly  thought  -would  drink  up  all  your  joy, 
And  quite  unparadise  the  realms  of  light." 

The  fearful  wreck  of  happiness  which  came 
upon  Job  and  his  wife  has  become  a  proverb.  In 
the  morning  they  sat  at  their  table,  surrounded 
with  every  comfort.  No  thought  of  want  or  care 
oppressed  them.  The  luxuries  of  wealth  were 
theirs.  Before  night  they  were  stripped  of  all, 
and  unmitigated  poverty  laid  its  hand  upon  them. 
With  the  rising  sun  started  up  their  numerous  ser- 
vants, ready  to  fulfil  with  alacrity  their  slightest 
command.  At  nightfall  they  were  forced  to  per- 
form unwonted  services  with  their  own  hands, 
and,  though  they  called,  there  were  none  to  do 
their  bidding.  Ten  loving  sons  and  daughters 
surrounded  them  when  they  woke,  full  of  life 
and  joy  —  their  pride  and  blessing  ;  before  the 
hour  of  rest  returned  they  were  "  written  child- 
less." They  had  many  friends;  at  least,  so  they 
thought  when  it  was  summer  with  them.  Win- 
ter, desolate,  dreary  winter,  had  suddenly  arrived, 
and  these  seeming  friends  had  sought  a  kindlier 
clime.  Was  this  all  ?  Surely  it  was  enough. 
But  no  ;  a  more  terrible  trial  awaits  them.  Ilith- 


THE   MOTHER    OF   JOB'S    CHILDREN.  287 

erfco  they  have  stood  together,  and  in  mutual 
sorrow  have  been  mutual  helpers.  Now  com- 
mences a  process  which  shall  drain  their  last 
drop  of  peace  —  a  weaning,  an  estranging  pro- 
cess. Foul  disease  fastens  on  the  father's  body, 
and  a  more  distressing  ailment  possesses  itself  of 
the  mother's  spirit.  Faith  and  patience  fail  her, 
and  where  was  love  before,  seems  now  to  be  only 
gall  and  wormwood. 

There  have  been  those  who  have  utterly  con- 
demned this  mother,  and  she  has  been  a  by-word 
and  her  name  a  scandal.  Some  have  concluded, 
because  so  little  is  said  of  her,  that  she  was 
wholly  abandoned  and  wicked,  and  had  been 
always  such.  They  even  shut  her  out  from 
repentance,  and  seem  not  to  dream  of  the  possi- 
bility of  reform.  They  consign  her  to  death, 
and  consider  it  no  additional  calamity,  and  thus 
allow  her  no  share  in  her  husband's  returning 
prosperity.  For  all  this  we  find  no  warrant. 
That  she  had  been  a  good  woman,  and  a  help- 
meet and  friend  to  her  husband,  we  feel  sure, 
from  his  surprise  at  her  evil  advice  in  the  hour 
of  their  calamity.  "  Thou  art  not  like  thyself." 


288  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

"  Thou  speakest  as  one  of  the  foolish  women 
speaketh." 

Job  is  called  the  most  patient  of  men.  Yet 
Job  forgot  himself,  and  spoke  foolishly,  and  re- 
proached the  Almighty.  Shall  his  wife,  who 
had  a  part  in  all  his  griefs,  and  on  whom  the 
stroke  fell  more  heavily,  since  she  had  a  mother's 
heart  —  shall  she  be  wholly  condemned  ?  If  Job 
endured  with  a  fortitude  so  remarkable  as  to  be 
considered  its  embodiment  through  all  time,  shall 
his  wife's  name  be  cast  out  as  vile,  because  she 
is  only  like  common  mortals  ? 

It  seems  to  us  far  more  rational,  and  in  accord- 
ance with  truth,  to  look  upon  her  as  one  whose 
reason  and  faith  were  almost  annihilated  by  the 
awful  blow  which  so  suddenly  bereaved  her  ;  and 
who  manifested  the  impatience  and  rebellion 
against  the  dealings  of  providence,  which,  if  we 
judge  rightly,  are  very  common  among  men,  and 
not  such  an  anomaly  as  to  distinguish  her  among 
millions.  And,  since  the  holy  record  does  not 
hint  that  Job,  with  his  new  possessions,  took  also 
a  new  wife,  we  love  to  hope  that  this  afflicted 
mother,  repentant,  subdued  and  chastened,  came 


THE    MOTHER    OF    JOB'S    CHILDREN.  289 

forth  from  the  furnace,  as  did  her  noble  husband, 
refined  and  pure,  and  fitted  to  enjoy  prosperity 
with  a  thankful  heart,  which  retained  not  a  ves- 
tige of  those  feelings  that  once  prompted  evil 
and  impious  words. 

Wealth  returned  ;  friends  flocked  to  congratu- 
late ;  brothers  and  sisters,  long  cold  and  unkind, 
were  once  more  loving  and  true.  But  the  long 
night  did  not  seem  surely  dissipated  till  a  daughter 
came  to  waken  parental  joys  anew  in  the  hearts 
long  silent  and  desolate,  and  to  unite  and  cement 
in  fresh  bonds  of  affection  those  whom  wretch- 
edness had  estranged  and  sundered.  They  called 
her  Jemima  —  day  ! 

All  that  they  had  been,  they  again  became, 
and  more.  Seven  sons  again  clustered  round 
them,  "  and  in  all  the  land  were  none  found  so 
fair"  as  the  three  daughters  who  called  them 
father  and  mother. 

Do  any  still  think  hardly  of  Job's  wife,  let  them 
place  themselves  in  her  lot,  and  judge  if  they  could 
endure  her  trials  without  a  murmuring  word  or 
a  hard  thought ;  then  lay  their  hands  upon  their 
mouths,  and  pray  earnestly  to  be  spared  the  test. 
25 


ELIZABETH. 

WITHIN  our  hearing,  as  we  commence  to  write 
this  sketch,  are  the  tones  of  a  fond  mother's 
voice,  conversing  at  the  close  of  the  day  with 
her  two  young  sons,  of  serious  and  weighty  mat- 
ters. They  have  retired  for  the  night,  and  she, 
choosing  the  hour  when  good  impressions  are 
easiest  made,  sits  with  a  hand  on  each,  reminding 
them  of  their  faults,  commending  their  good  be- 
havior, and  exerting  the  influence  which  tender 
affection  gives  to  lead  them  in  paths  of  virtue 
and  uprightness.  The  blessing  of  the  Eternal  be 
upon  her  in  her  holy  work. 

What  wonderful  power  has  God  committed  to 
a  mother's  hands  !  How  exalted  are  her  privi- 
leges !  who  can  for  a  moment  set  a  true  estimate 
upon  the  worth  of  her  gentle  counsels  to  her 
boys,  who  are  soon  to  enter  upon  life's  tempta- 
tions and  duties  ?  Who  can  calculate  the  results 
of  her  daily  intercourse  with  her  girls,  who  are 


,    ELIZABETH.  291 

so  soon  to  mould  in  their  turn  the  plastic  and  im- 
mortal mind  ? 

There  have  been  some  mothers  of  earth  pecu- 
liarly favored  and  blest.  It  was  a  privilege  to  be 
the  mother  of  Moses,  of  Elijah,  of  Samuel.  It  is  a 
privilege  to  bring  into  the  world,  and  train  up  into 
life,  the  intelligent,  and  industrious,  and  useful 
members  of  society ;  but  she  is  most  favored  to 
whose  arms  is  given  one  of  those  whom  Jeho- 
vah uses  to  advance  most  rapidly  his  kingdom 
among  men.  "  Let  my  child  be  an  instrument 
of  good  to  souls,  let  him  live  a  life  of  prayer  and 
communion  with  God,  and  be  devoted  to  the  Re- 
deemer's cause,  and  I  will  ask  nothing  more," 
says  the  truly  Christian  mother.  "  I  will  not 
seek  for  him  earthly  honor,  nor  wealth,  nor  pleas- 
ures. I  will  not  even  ask  health,  nor  comfort, 
nor  ease,  nor  exemption  from  severe  trials.  I 
will  not  shrink  from  the  knowledge  of  sufferings 
which  he  may  be  called  to  endure.  If  so  be  my 
prayer  for  his  sanctification  be  heard,  I  will  be 
silent  in  every  other  matter,  or  only  say,  '  Thy 
will  be  done.' ' 

The  subject  of  our  present  study  was  a  mother 


292  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

thus  favored,  and  she  was  so  blessed  as  to  know, 
even  before  his  birth,  that  her  child  would  be 
only  a  comfort  to  her,  never  a  source  of  sorrow. 
His  character  and  commission  were  announced 
with  the  tidings  of  his  coming  into  the  world,  and 
as  she  dwelt  in  thought  upon  the  strange  com- 
munication, how  must  her  heart  have  glowed  and 
exulted  at  the  privilege  conferred  upon  her ! 
Four  hundred  years  before,  the  last  of  the 
prophets  had  foretold  the  coming  of  her  son.  In 
the  councils  of  Eternity  he  holds  a  most  exalted 
place.  He  is  the  day-star  which  heralds  the  sun. 
She  is  the  wife  of  a  priest,  and  versed  in  the 
hopes,  and  expectations,  and  prophesyings  of  her 
people.  In  the  days  of  her  youth,  in  common 
with  many  of  her  country-women,  she  had  hoped 
that  possibly  she  might  give  birth  to  this  prom- 
ised child,  or  at  least  to  his  mother.  But  years 
passed  on,  and  her  hopes  had  long  since  faded.  She 
was  old,  and  her  husband  well  stricken  in  years. 
Even  the  wish  for  sons  and  daughters  had  almost 
died,  until  brought  back  to  sudden  life  by  the 
strange  words  of  the  angel  to  Zacharias.  Now 
she  begins  to  feel  a  mother's  yearning  toward  the 


ELIZABETH.  293 

life  which  she  unconsciously  nourishes,  and  a 
hitherto  unknown  gladness  fills  all  her  soul.  Her 
silent  husband  pursues  his  avocations,  seeming  to 
her  as  if  he  ever  pondered  on  the  mysterious 
visitation  in  the  temple,  and  felt  still  the  awe 
with  which  the  presence  of  Gabriel  had  first 
inspired  him.  They  have  been  always  followers 
of  that  which  is  good,  walking  in  all  the  com- 
mandments and  ordinances  of  the  Lord  blameless, 
and  now  a  rich  reward  is  ministered  to  them  from 
his  hand. 

The  story  of  John's  birth,  of  the  gathering  of 
friends,  of  the  restoration  of  Zacharias,  is  one 
of  the  most  touching  and  beautiful  in  the  sacred 
record.  But  from  that  time  nothing  more  is  said 
respecting  his  mother.  Whether  she  lived  be- 
yond his  childhood  we  do  not  know,  nor  what 
part  she  took  in  the  formation  of  the  character 
which  was  so  excellent  as  to  draw  from  Jesus  the 
testimony,  "  Verily,  I  say  unto  you,  Among  them 
that  were  born  of  women,  there  hath  not  arisen  a 
greater  than  John  the  Baptist."  We  always, 
though  perhaps  sometimes  involuntarily,  gather 
our  ideas  of  the  character  of  the  mother  from 
25* 


294  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

what  we  know  of  her  children  ;  nor  are  we  often 
mistaken.  We  think  that  the  firm,  uncompro- 
mising integrity  of  John's  character,  his  fidelity, 
his  humility,  stood  in  most  intimate  relation  to 
his  mother's  blameless  life.  We  admire  his  noble 
course,  and  feel  sure  that  were  his  mother  living,  it 
afforded  her  the  satisfaction  of  a  longed-for  bless- 
ing, toward  the  attainment  of  which  she  had  given 
her  earnest  efforts.  We  behold  him  in  prison, 
regardless  of  his  own  privations,  not  once  appeal- 
ing to  the  one  mightier  than  himself  for  succor, 
but  anxious  only  that  the  bridegroom  should  be 
recognized  and  honored,  while  he  stands  in  the 
shade  ;  and  instinctively  we  recognize  a  retiring, 
humble  woman's  influence  working  among  the 
elements  of  his  character.  We  dwell  painfully 
on  his  lonely  and  sudden  death,  and  wonder  why 
he  was  permitted  thus  to  leave  the  world  without 
one  word  of  encouragement  or  sympathy  from 
him  whom  he  so  nobly  honored  ;  but  we  seem  to 
meet  Elizabeth's  calm  reproving  eye,  and  are 
convinced  that  he  had  been  early  taught  to  follow 
his  Lord  even  unto  death,  and  to  count  life  itself 


ELIZABETH.  295 

worthless  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of 
Christ. 

She  has  gone  to  her  reward,  and  John  worships 
with  her  the  Lamb  slain  from  the  foundation  of 
the  world.  We  hope  to  meet  him  yet  on  the 
heights  of  Zion,  and  to  know  more  than  we  pos- 
sibly can  now  of  the  life  they  led  on  earth.  How 
much  we  have  to  learn!  Eternity  itself  is  not 
more  far-reaching  than  are  the  sources  of  knowl- 
edge which  it  will  lay  open  to  us,  and  from 
which  we  thirst,  even  now,  sorely  thirst,  to  be 
drinking.  The  dealings  of  infinite  wisdom  and 
grace  with  each  child  brought  home  to  glory, 
how  intensely  interesting  to  every  other !  Would 
we  might  so  fill  every  relation  of  life  as  to  bring 
only  honor  to  our  Redeemer  in  that  day  when  he 
shall  come  to  be  admired  in  his  saints,  and  glori- 
fied in  all  them  that  believe. 


MARY. 

was  the  early  history  of  the  mother  of 
Jesus  ?  Who  were  her  parents  ?  Where  was 
her  childhood  passed,  and  under  what  influences  ? 
What  was  her  character  ?  Did  anything  foretell 
that  she  would  be  chosen  from  all  the  maidens 
among  her  people  for  the  high  honor  which  was 
afterward  conferred  upon  her  ?  Was  she  pecu- 
liarly amiable  or  lovely,  or  devoutly  pious  and 
scrupulously  exact  in  her  observance  of  the  Jew- 
ish ritual  ?  Question  after  question  arises  thus 
in  our  minds,  as  we  contemplate  this  most  interest- 
ing of  all  the  mothers  of  the  earth ;  but  to  none 
can  we  give  a  satisfactory  reply.  For  reasons 
known  only  to  Infinite  Wisdom,  the  veil  of 
obscurity  is  closely  drawn  over  all  that  part  of 
her  life  which  is  not  immediately  connected  with 
the  life  of  our  Lord.  We  do  not  even  know  her 
age  when  she  was  suddenly  visited  by  the  mes- 
senger from  the  upper  temple  announcing  her 
wonderful  destiny.  "  Hail,  thou  that  art  highly 


MARY.  297 

favored  !  the  Lord  is  with  thee  ;  blessed  art  thou 
among  women."  Blessed  and  favored  indeed ! 
From  the  time  that  Eve  exulted,  "  I  have  gotten 
a  man  from  the  Lord,"  how  many  hearts  had 
longed  and  hoped  for  the  high  privilege ;  and  even 
now,  while  she  sits  pondering  upon  the  strange 
tidings,  how  many  high-born  mothers  of  her 
nation  are  looking  on  their  young  daughters  with 
earnest  desire  and  hope  ;  and  how  many  consci- 
entious hearts,  looking  for  the  consolation  of  Israel, 
are  daily  studying  the  prophecies,  if  possible,  to 
encourage  themselves  in.  the  expectation  for  the 
loved  ones  whom  they  have  trained  with  unwonted 
care  for  this  very  end  ! 

Mary  sits  as  if  entranced.  Has  she  been 
dreaming  ?  No.  Gabriel,  who  stands  in  the 
presence  of  Jehovah,  has  truly  been  with  her, 
and  spoken  to  her,  and  his  mysterious  words  yet 
linger  in  her  ears.  Rapidly  her  thoughts  recall 
the  promises  which  she  has  heard  from  her  child- 
hood. She  knows  that  one  bora  of  woman  is  yet 
to  do  away  the  curse  which  the  serpent  brought 
upon  the  race.  The  Scriptures  have  been  taught 
her,  and  a  light  now  shines  upon  them  unseen 


298  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

before.  She  recalls  and  dwells  on  every  word 
the  angel  spoke.  In  her  heart  she  again  mur- 
murs, "  Behold  the  handmaid  of  the  Lord,  be 
it  unto  me  according  to  thy  word."  Day  after 
day  multitudes  of  thoughts  come  crowding  upon 
her.  She  feels  in  herself  already  the  fulfilment 
of  the  promise.  At  last,  unable  any  longer  to 
keep  pent  up  in  her  own  heart  the  joy-inspiring 
secret,  she  arises  in  haste  and  seeks  the  only 
friend  who  she  feels  can  fully  sympathize  with  her. 
What  a  meeting  was  that !  Elizabeth  utters  her 
congratulations,  and  Mary's  long-restrained  glad- 
ness finds  utterance  in  words  most  exalted  and 
sublime. 

"My  soul  doth  magnify  the  Lord,  and  my 
spirit  hath  rejoiced  in  God  my  Saviour." 

Well  may  she  speak  His  praise  in  lofty  tones, 
who  has  taken  her  into  more  intimate  relationship 
with  himself  than  any  other  of  mortal  race.  Well 
may  she  rejoice  in  Him,  the  infinite  Jehovah,  who 
has  thus  condescended  to  distinguish  her  above 
all  who  have  ever  lived,  or  shall  live  after. 

"  For  he  hath  regarded  the  low  estate  of  his 


MARY.  299 

handmaiden :  for,  behold,  from  henceforth  all 
generations  shall  call  me  blessed." 

Eighteen  hundred  years  have  rolled  by,  and 
yet  are  the  words  being  fulfilled.  Mary,  most 
happy  of  mothers,  most  blessed  of  thy  race ! 
Exultation  becomes  thee  well.  The  Magnificat  is 
suited  to  thy  lips.  Meet  it  is  that  thy  triumph 
song  should  sound  over  all  the  mingling  and  deaf- 
ening voices  of  centuries,  and  reach  even  our 
ears  who  dwell  in  these  ends  of  the  earth. 

"  For  he  that  is  mighty  hath  done  to  me  great 
things  ;  and  holy  is  his  name." 

Great  has  ever  been  the  mystery  of  that  incar- 
nation. Even  she,  who  had  the  witness  within 
herself,  that,  contrary  to  all  ordinary  laws  of 
nature,  a  new  life  was  springing  from  her  own, 
could  only  speak  thus  in  awe  and  reverence  of 
what  she  knew  was  truth,  but  which  she  could  not 
for  a  moment  understand. 

"  He  hath  scattered  the  proud  in  the  imagina- 
tion of  their  hearts.  He  hath  put  down  the 
mighty  from  their  seats,  and  exalted  them  of  low 
degree.  He  hath  filled  the  hungry  with  good 
things,  and  the  rich  he  hath  sent  empty  away." 


300  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

Royalty  coveted  this  boon,  and  presumed  upon 
it.  Surely  the  heir  of  David's  throne  should  come 
in  the  nobler  branches  of  David's  house.  Disap- 
pointment waits  on  many  an  exalted  family.  He 
looked  from  his  heavenly  throne  upon  all  grades 
and  classes  of  men,  and  chose  to  make  his  earthly 
home  with  the  humble  and  poor,  the  uneducated, 
the  inferior.  No  wonder  he  was  despised  and 
rejected  of  men.  They  had  not  for  one  moment 
imagined  him  other  than  noble  and  aristocratic  ; 
one  born  to  rule  over  the  lower  classes,  not  to 
mingle  among  them  as  if  he  were  of  them.  No 
marvel  that  "he  came  unto  his  own,  and  his  own 
received  him  not."  How  could  they  recognize  in 
the  carpenter's  son  the  Messiah  of  their  hopes  — 
the  Prince  who  was  to  sit  on  David's  throne  ? 
No  wonder  they  looked  with  contempt  on  one 
who  thus  "  exalted  those  of  low  degree." 

"  He  hath  holpen  his  servant  Israel,  in  remem- 
brance of  his  mercy  :  as  he  spake  to  our  fathers, 
to  Abraham,  and  to  his  seed  forever." 

Sitting  in  Hebron,  where  lie  the  bones  of  the 
patriarchs,  Mary  sings  of  the  fulfilment  of  prom- 
ises made  two  thousand  years  before.  In  that 


MARY.  301 

cave  of  Machpelah,  Abraham  had  been  sleeping 
centuries.  He  believed,  and  received  a  son  in 
his  old  age,  the  type  of  Him  who  should  come 
after.  Mary  sits  near  that  cave,  and  her  faith 
has  made  her  mother  of  Him  whose  day  Abraham 
rejoiced  and  was  glad  to  behold  by  faith.  Though 
He  tarry  long,  though  years  by  thousands  roll  by 
between  his  promises  and  their  fulfilment,  Jeho- 
vah suffers  not  a  jot  or  a  tittle  of  his  word  to  fall 
to  the  ground.  He  remembers  his  covenant,  and 
will  surely  help  his  people. 

Three  months  of  delightful  intercourse  have 
passed  since  Mary  first  entered  Elizabeth's  house, 
and  she  now  returns  to  her  own.  Alas  !  what  a 
world  is  this,  in  which  sorrow  treads  quickly  on 
the  heels  of  joy,  and  clouds  obscure  the  brightest 
sunbeams.  Mary  is  to  be  mother  of  the  only 
Son  of  God  ;  but  she  is  herself  a  mortal,  and 
subject  to  the  woes  and  trials  which  wait  on  our 
mortal  state.  She  is  one  of  a  sinful  race,  and 
the  pains  and  penalties  and  vexations  which  sin 
has  entailed  she  cannot  escape.  She  has  lived 
on  the  mount  of  joy  and  rapture  —  she  must  now 
descend  into  the  vale  of  humiliation.  She  has 
26 


302  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

been  honored  by  the  Almighty  —  she  must  now 
be  dishonored  by  man.  A  cup  of  pure  joy  and 
triumph  has  been  given  to  her  lips  —  it  must  be 
dashed  away,  and  wormwood  must  supply  its 
place. 

She  returns  to  her  home,  and  pursues  her  usual 
avocations  with  cheerful  heart.  But  soon  suspi- 
cious glances  are  cast  upon  her,  and  malignant 
whisperings  are  heard,  and  the  friends  who  once 
were  kind  avoid  her,  and  a  chill  begins  to  creep 
over  her  guileless  heart.  For  the  first  time  she 
realizes  how  questionable  is  her  position  now 
among  her  companions.  She  sees  with  trembling 
spirit  the  storm  which  threatens  her.  She  looks 
anxiously  upon  the  face  of  the  one  who  is  more 
to  her  than  all  others,  as  if  to  read  his  heart,  and 
see  if  he  also  distrusts  her.  Why  should  he  not  ? 
Is  there  not  cause  ?  Now  also  her  spirit  faints, 
remembering  the  fearful  ordeal  to  which  she  may 
be  subjected.  What  sustained  thee  in  that  hour, 
sad  heart  ?  Even  He  who  had  brought  the  fierce 
trial  upon  thee.  It  was  not  long.  There  came 
a  day  when  the  eyes  most  dear,  and  which  had 
been  dimmed  by  grief  and  doubt,  again  met  thine 


MARY.  303 

with  clear  and  sympathizing  gaze,  and  arms  of 
love  and  protection  were  folded  about  thee,  and 
the  sacred  name  of  wife  bestowed  upon  thee,  and 
in  the  sanctuary  of  a  husband's  home,  cherished 
and  revered,  thou  didst  look  up  once  more,  and 
await  the  future,  calm,  trustful  and  happy. 


The  eventful  night  arrived  which  made  Mary 
the  mother  of  the  Son  of  God.  Here,  again,  how 
many  questions  a  reverent  curiosity  would  ask. 
Did  the  curse  rest  with  full  force  on  her  who  bore 
that  spotless  one  ?  Was  he  ushered  into  life  with 
the  same  agonies  which  accompany  the  degenerate 
children  of  Adam's  race  ?  We  doubt  it  not. 
Even  for  this  he  assumed  our  humanity,  that  he 
might  be  made  in  all  respects  like  his  brethren. 
An  infant's  woes  and  weaknesses,  childhood's 
vexations,  youth's  temptations,  manhood's  trials. 
lie  omitted  none. 

That  birth-night  !  One  of  our  own  poets  has 
celebrated  it  in  words  we  cannot  forbear  to  quote 
at  length : 


304  THE   MOTHERS   OF   THE   BIBLE. 

LONGFELLOW'S  CHKISTMAS  HYMN. 

It  was  the  calm  and  silent  night ! 

Seven  hundred  years  and  fifty-three 
Had  Rome  been  growing  up  to  might, 

And  now  was  queen  of  land  and  sea  ! 
No  sound  was  heard  of  clashing  wars  ; 

Peace  brooded  o'er  the  hushed  domain  ; 
Apollo,  Pallas,  Jove,  and  Mars, 

Held  undisturbed  their  ancient  reign, 

In  the  solemn  midnight, 
Centuries  ago  ! 

'T  was  in  the  calm  and  silent  night ! 

The  Senator  of  haughty  Rome 
Impatient  urged  his  chariot's  flight, 

From  lordly  revel  rolling  home  ; 
Triumphant  arches,  gleaming,  swell 

His  breast  with  thoughts  of  boundless  sway  ; 
What  recked  the  Roman  what  befell 

A  paltry  province  far  away, 

In  the  solemn  midnight, 
Centuries  ago  ! 

Within  that  province  far  away, 

Went  plodding  home  a  weary  boor ; 
A  streak  of  light  before  him  lay, 

Fallen  through  a  half-shut  stable  door, 
Across  his  path.     He  paused,  for  naught 

Told  what  was  going  on  within  ; 
How  keen  the  stars !  his  only  thought ; 

The  air  how  calm,  and  cold,  and  thin, 


MARY.  305 

In  the  solemn  midnight, 
Centuries  ago ! 

0,  strange  indifference  !  — low  and  high 

Drowsed  over  common  joys  and  cares  ; 
The  earth  was  still,  but  knew  not  why  ; 

The  world  was  listening  unawares  ! 
How  calm  a  moment  may  precede 

One  that  shall  thrill  the  world  forever  ! 
To  that  still  moment  none  would  heed, 

Man's  doom  was  linked  no  more  to  sever, 
In  the  solemn  midnight, 
Centuries  ago  ! 

It  is  the  calm  and  solemn  night ! 

A  thousand  bells  ring  out  and  throw 
Their  joyous  peals  abroad,  and  smite 

The  darkness  —  charmed  and  holy  now  ! 
That  night  that  erst  no  shame  had  worn, 

To  it  a  happy  name  is  given ; 
For  in  that  stable  lay,  new-born, 

The  peaceful  prince  of  earth  and  heaven, 
In  the  solemn  midnight, 
Centuries  ago ! 

What  were  Mary's  emotions  on  that  solemn 
night,  when  prince  and  peasant  pursued  their  ac- 
customed way,  and  the  mysterious  infant  form 
which  she  had  nourished  beneath  her  heart  was 
placed  in  her  arms  ?  How  did  she  feel  when  the 
26* 


306  THE    MOTHERS    OF   THE    BIBLE. 

wonder-stricken  shepherds  demanded  to  see  her 
child,  and  she  found  her  secret  had  been  revealed 
from  above  ?  And  when  strange  foreign  men 
bent  the  knee  in  homage  to  the  babe,  and  poured 
into  her  lap  their  rich  gifts,  was  it  more  joy  or 
wonder  that  thrilled  her  heart  ? 

##:#### 

We  know  little,  far  too  little,  of  the  theme 
which  so  entrances  us ;  but  there  is  ever  one 
delightful  certainty  on  which  we  can  dwell.  Mary 
was  the  only  mother  of  a  sinless  child  our  earth 
has  ever  seen.  Think  of  it,  friends.  From  the 
hour  of  his  birth  to  that  in  which  he  was  slain, 
no  folly,  or  wilfulness,  or  disobedience  of  his 
ever  caused  her  a  pang,  or  brought  a  tear  to 
her  eye.  He  lay  in  his  cradle,  not  merely  an 
image  of  innocence,  but  its  embodiment.  As  she 
folded  him  to  her  breast,  no  dread  of  the  future, 
no  fear  of  the  effect  of  evil  example,  or  natural 
corruption,  disturbed  her  peace.  No  cry  of  im- 
patience was  ever  heard  from  that  baby-mouth  ; 
no  burst  of  passion  ever  disfigured  that  sweet 
childish  face.  The  shuddering  which  the  first 
deliberate  untruth  from  hitherto  unsoiled  lips 


MART.  307 

causes,  she  never  felt.  She  trusted  him  implic- 
itly. He  sat  by  her  side,  he  followed  her  steps, 
he  grew  silently  up,  all  that  a  mother's  heart 
could  wish.  He  received  her  instructions,  and 
obeyed  her  commands,  in  the  spirit  of  love  and 
filial  piety.  She  saw  him  tried  by  poverty  and 
reproaches.  She  knew  his  high  origin,  and  looked 
often  wonderingly  on  him  as  in  his  meekness  he 
received  taunts  in  silence. 

Never  once  had  she  occasion  to  reprove  him  ; 
and  the  bitterness  which  the  parental  heart  feels 
when  needed  chastisement  must  be  inflicted  on  its 
precious  ones,  she  knew  it  not.  0,  what  a  love 
was  that  which  grew  day  by  day  for  thirty  years 
between  that  mother  and  son,  before  his  work 
claimed  him,  and  he  left  her  side  to  buffet  the 
world's  scorn,  and  be  baptized  with  the  baptism 
for  which  he  came !  Whatever  may  have  been 
her  experience  with  her  other  children,  her  satis- 
faction in  her  first-born  son  was  unalloyed. 

Mary  !    Hail !    Thou  that  art  highly  favored ! 

Blessed  indeed  art  thou  ! 

****** 

Mary  was  present  when  Jesus  first  manifested 


308  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

his  miraculous  power  in  Cana,  and  again,  at 
Capernaum ;  while  he  was  preaching  earnestly  to 
the  people,  she  sought  admittance  to  his  pres- 
ence. How  much  she  saw  of  him  during  his 
three  years'  ministry  we  do  not  know  ;  but  she 
was  with  him  when  he  went  his  last  journey  to 
Jerusalem,  and  was  among  those  who  stood  by 
the  cross  during  his  agony.  Where  was  Joseph  ? 
Where  were  her  other  sons  ?  It  would  seem  that, 
as  he  hung  on  that  cross,  he  felt  that  he  was  his 
mother's  sole  dependence,  since  the  only  words 
recorded,  which  relate  to  aught  but  himself,  were 
those  touching  ones  which  gave  her  to  the  care 
of  his  most  trusted  disciple  and  friend.  What  a 
remembrance  to  carry  in  her  heart,  while  she  en- 
dured the  keen  inflictions  of  the  sword  which 
Simeon  had  prophesied  for  her,  were  those  last 
words  !  With  the  weight  of  a  world's  sins  upon 
his  soul,  and  amid  the  pangs  of  tortured  nature, 
he  was  yet  true  to  the  love  which  had  been  her 
solace  so  many  years.  To  the  last  he  was  faith- 
ful, and  there  was  no  disappointment  in  his  char- 
acter, whatever  there  might  be  in  his  circum- 
stances. Did  she  see  him  again  after  that  long, 


MARY.  309 

lingering  look,  at  the  place  "  where  his  body  was 
laid"  1  It  is  not  said  ;  but  she  was  among  those 
who  companied  together  after  his  ascension,  and 
we  cannot  doubt,  was  present  when  his  "  Peace 
be  with  you !  "  sent  a  thrill  of  joy  to  so  many 
hearts. 

They  are  both,  now,  the  mysterious  Son  and 
his  favored  mother,  in  that  world  where  the  re- 
lations of  time  are  dissolved ;  where  naught  is 
valued  of  earth,  save  that  which  aided  in  bring- 
ing the  ransomed  soul  to  its  eternal  home.  We 
cannot  possibly  know  in  what  light  Mary  is  there 
regarded,  nor  what  is  the  nature  of  the  bond  which 
unites  her  to  Jesus.  He  was  her  Saviour,  as  he 
is  ours,  and  she  rejoices  in  the  redemption  he 
wrought  out,  as  we  all  shall  when  we  too  see 
him  face  to  face,  and  come  into  his  presence  to 
go  no  more  out  forever. 

Mothers,  let  us  ever  bear  in  mind,  as  among 
our  most  effective  instruments,  the  example  of 
Mary's  child.  Little  ears  are  never  more  atten- 
tive, little  eyes  are  never  more  wondering,  than 
when  they  hear  of  him  who  never  grieved  his 
mother — who  was  never  disobedient,  never  angry, 


310  THE   MOTHERS   OF   THE    BIBLE. 

never  untruthful.  No  motive  appeals  so  power- 
fully as  the  desire  to  be  like  him.  "  Jesus  would 
not  have  done  so."  "Then,  mother,  I  will  not 
do  it  again  ;  I  want  to  be  like  Jesus,"  is,  in 
some  houses,  an  almost  daily  reproof  and  answer. 
To  be  like  Jesus !  It  is  the  fervent  aspiration  of 
the  advanced  Christian.  How  sweet  to  hear  its 
expression  from  infant  lips,  and  how  earnest  the 
hope  that  it  may  come  to  be  the  habitual  desire 
of  the  soul ! 


THE  WIDOW  OF  NAIN. 

"  WHO  went  about  doing  good."  How  little 
do  we  comprehend  the  meaning  of  the  words  as 
applied  to  him,  before  whose  coming  footsteps 
pain  and  suffering,  and  every  form  of  earthly 
woe,  vanished,  and  who  left  evermore  behind  him 
health,  and  vigor,  and  joy!  Some  vague  impres- 
sion we  gather  as  we  read  of  his  "  wonderful 
works,"  but  we  do  not  comprehend  the  full  im- 
port. We  do  not  understand  that  it  was  as  if  a 
being  from  the  upper  sanctuary  should  visit  our 
own  town,  and  all  the  sick  and  suffering  —  the 
lame,  the  blind,  the  feeble  of  our  own  acquaint- 
ance—  should  suddenly,  by  his  all-powerful  word, 
be  "healed  of  their  infirmities,"  and  we  should 
see  them  going  forth  among  living,  acting  men, 
as  unconscious  of  sorrow  as  if  they  had  never 
known  its  withering  touch.  There  rose  a  morn- 
ing on  some  of  the  villages  of  Palestine,  which 
saw  only  the  healthy  and  the  glad  within  their 
walls,  for  —  he  had  "healed  their  sick."  How 


312  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

great  the  change  should  to-morrow's  sun  behold 
such  a  sight  in  our  town ! 

Methinks  I  see  it  thus :  from  yonder  house 
comes  daily  past  my  door,  led  by  gentle  hands,  a 
blind  father.  In  the  midst  of  his  days  an  inscru- 
table providence  has  shut  from  his  view  all  beau- 
tiful and  gladsome  things.  On  the  fair  forms  of 
wife  and  daughters  he  has  been  unable  to  gaze 
these  many  years ;  and  one  prattling  boy  often 
follows  his  footsteps,  on  whose  loving,  wondering, 
up-turned  face  he  has  never  looked.  Yesterday 
I  saw  him,  with  uncertain  step,  following  in  the 
train  of  that  stranger  whose  name  is  on  every 
lip.  Can  words  describe  the  change  which  has 
passed  on  him  since  ?  He  is  not  at  all  this 
morning  what  he  was  then.  With  firm,  manly, 
joyous  tread,  he  crosses  the  threshold  of  his 
home,  arid  meets  the  glad  group  who  have 
watched  and  cared  for  him  so  long.  He  is  no 
longer  blind,  dependent,  helpless.  Once  more 
he  can  bear  his  part  in  maintaining  his  family,  — 
once  more  he  is  a  man  among  men.  What  a 
weary  weight  of  woe  is  suddenly  lifted  from  the 
heart  of  that  loving  wife  and  mother  !  She  has 


THE    WIDOW    OF    NAIN.  313 

not  murmured  under  it.  Cheerfully  has  she 
borne  up  —  nobly  has  she  performed  her  part, 
and  far  above  price  has  her  love  proved  itself  in 
this  deep  trial ;  but  now,  what  joy  beyond  ex- 
pression is  hers  !  —  what  blessings  has  the  power 
of  the  Healer  sent  under  that  roof! 

In  the  opposite  house  lives  a  little  girl,  crip- 
pled from  her  infancy.  The  heart  of  fond  parents 
is  wrung  daily  as  her  halting  step  is  heard  about 
the  house,  and  forebodingly  they  look  into  the 
future,  and  dread  the  sorrows  it  may  bring  to  their 
gentle  one.  She  has  met  Jesus  in  the  way,  this 
morning,  and  his  compassionate  eye  and  voice 
have,  in  a  moment,  set  her  free  ;  and  now,  behold! 
was  ever  exultation  like  hers  as  she  skips  and 
jumps,  and  runs  to  tell  her  mother  what  has  been 
done  for  her  ?  Imagine,  also,  if  you  can,  the 
joy  of  that  mother's  heart  —  the  gratitude  of 
that  rejoicing  family  ! 

In  another  home  dwells  one  of  pale,  sorrowful 
countenance,  on  which  consumption  has  stamped 
his  terrible  lineaments.  Young,  happy,  sur- 
rounded with  friends,  but  about  to  leave  them 
all  —  fading  from  her  husband's  sight,  day  by 
27 


314  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

day,  as  silently,  but  surely,  as  the  snow-wreath 
before  the  sun  —  leaving,  with  such  anguish  in 
her  heart  as  dying  mothers  alone  can  know,  her 
precious,  only  child  to  breast,  unaided,  the  world's 
cold  waves.  A  short  time  since  I  saw  her  thus, 
and  wept  that  earth  should  furnish  such  a  sight. 
But  the  Deliverer  has  been  under  her  roof —  the 
bloom  has  suddenly  returned  to  her  cheek,  and 
the  disappointed  destroyer  has  unloosed  his  grasp. 
She  steps  lightly  and  joyously  about  her  house- 
hold work  —  she  smiles  on  her  glad  husband, 
strains,  with  fervent  joy,  her  little  one  to  her 
heart,  and  tears  of  gratitude  fall  from  her  eyes 
as  she  thinks  of  him  who  has  restored  her  to  life 
and  hope  once  more. 
****** 

Our  Lord  healed,  probably,  every  kind  of  dis 
ease  known  in  Palestine.  He  had  raised  the 
dying  from  the  beds  they  had  not  hoped  to  leave 
again.  But  he  had  not  yet  raised  the  dead. 
This,  alone,  was  wanting  to  complete  the  evi- 
dences of  divine  power  which  his  miracles  offered. 
He  walks,  with  his  disciples,  from  Capernaum 
towards  Nain,  and  as  they  approach  the  town 


THE    WIDOW    OF   NAIN.  315 

they  meet  a  funeral  procession.  No  spectacle  of 
sorrow  presented  itself  to  his  view  and  was  dis- 
regarded. He  sees  in  a  moment  what  deep 
grief  is  here  ;  —  a  young  man  is  borne  to  his 
burial,  and  by  his  side  walks  his  lonely,  widowed 
mother.  The  lamp  of  hope  and  joy  is  for  her 
extinct.  She  had  fondly  hoped  this  one  would 
have  sustained  her  age,  and  there  he  lies  in 
death.  How  can  she  live  without  him  ?  He 
was  her  only  cradle  joy,  —  there  is  none  left  to 
call  her  mother.  She  cannot,  cannot  spare  him  ! 
Yet  death  is  inexorable.  None  can  burst  his 
iron  bands.  She  has  closed  his  young  eyes  for- 
ever ;  she  must  return  to  her  home  without  him. 
Not  so,  poor  mourner.  He,  who  reads  the 
heart  and  knows  all  thy  distress,  has  a  balm  for 
thee  of  which  thou  little  dreamest.  He,  the 
Man  of  Sorrows,  and  acquainted  with  grief,  pos- 
sesses one  source  of  joy  unknown  to  common 
mortals  —  the  power  to  cure  the  woes  of  others. 
He,  who  is  said  to  have  never  smiled,  makes  it 
his  daily  business  to  call  smiles  to  the  woe-begone 
faces  that  follow  his  steps.  He,  who  bears  the 
burden  of  a  world's  cares  and  sins,  is  found  con- 


316  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

stantly  lightening  the  cares  and  forgiving  the 
sins  of  the  forlorn  and  guilty.  "What  peace  — 
what  serene  satisfaction  must  be  his,  as  he  wit- 
nesses the  sudden  reversion  of  feeling  in  that 
widowed  breast !  for  HE  can  look  upon  the  heart 
and  see  unveiled  those  emotions  which  are  all  too 
mighty  for  outward  expression.  What  a  balm  to 
his  own  woes  must -he  have  in  this  blessed  power 
to  heal  the  manifold  woes  of  those  around  him ! 

The  young  man  sat  up  and  began  to  speak, 
and  they  delivered  him  to  his  mother.  Jesus  and 
his  disciples  went  on  their  way.  His  own  trial- 
hour  followed  shortly ;  but,  though  still  possessing 
the  power  which  had  raised  the  dead  —  though 
able  to  refuse  the  cup  which  he  had  voluntarily 
taken  —  though  able  at  any  moment  to  cut  short 
the  agonies  of  crucifixion,  and  come  down  from 
the  cross,  he  endured  unto  the  end  ;  endured  for 
our  sakes,  that  he  might  win  the  power  to  heal 
not  merely  physical,  but  spiritual  maladies  ;  that 
he  might  gain  the  right  to  raise  from  eternal 
death,  and  bestow  on  sinners  immortal  life.  0, 
would  we  had  power  to  convey,  by  any  means, 
to  the  mothers  who  will  read  these  pages,  our 


THE   WIDOW   OF   NAIN.  317 

own  deep  sense  of  his  presence  with  his  tempest- 
tost  children  now,  as  truly  as  in  the  days  of  his 
flesh,  and  of  his  benignant,  almighty  love  !  It  is 
easy  to  say,  "Jesus  Christ,  the  same  yesterday, 
to-day  and  forever."  It  is  easy  to  quote  all  that 
has  been  written  conveying  the  same  idea;  but  to 
realize,  and  practically  believe,  and  constantly 
to  act  upon,  and  be  daily  consoled  by  this  truth, 
is  not  so  often  attained  unto.  Yet,  if  we  will 
cherish  this  faith,  it  will  increase,  until  our  peace 
shall  be  like  a  river,  and  our  consolation  as  the 
waves  of  the  sea. 

THE  WIDOW   OF  NAIN. 

The  Roman  sentinel  stood  helmed  and  tall 
Beside  the  gate  of  Nain.     The  busy  tread 
Of  comers  to  the  city  mart  was  done, 
For  it  was  almost  noon,  and  a  dead  heat 
Quivered  upon  the  fine  and  sleeping  dust, 
And  the  cold  snake  crept  panting  from  the  wall, 
And  basked  his  scaly  circles  in  the  sun. 
Upon  his  spear  the  soldier  leaned,  and  kept 
His  idle  watch,  and,  as  his  drowsy  dream 
Was  broken  by  the  solitary  foot 
Of  some  poor  mendicant,  he  raised  his  head 
To  curse  him  for  a  tributary  Jew, 
And  slumberously  dozed  on. 

27* 


318  THE    MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

'T  was  now  high  noon. 
The  dull,  low  murmur  of  a  funeral 
Went  through  the  city  —  the  sad  sound  of  feet 
Unmixed  with  voices  —  and  the  sentinel 
Shook  off  his  slumber,  and  gazed  earnestly 
Up  the  wide  streets,  along  whose  paved  way 
The  silent  throng  crept  slowly.     They  came  on, 
Bearing  a  body  heavily  on  its  bier, 
And  by  the  crowd  that  in  the  burning  sun 
"Walked  with  forgetful  sadness,  'twas  of  one 
Mourned  with  uncommon  sorrow.     The  broad  gate 
Swung  on  its  hinges,  and  the  Roman  bent 
His  spear-point  down  wards  as  the  bearers  passed, 
Bending  beneath  their  burden.     There  was  one  — 
Only  one  mourner.     Close  behind  the  bier, 
Crumpling  the  pall  up  in  her  withered  hands, 
Followed  an  aged  woman.    Her  short  steps 
Faltered  with  weakness,  and  a  broken  moan 
Fell  from  her  lips,  thickened  convulsively 
As  her  heart  bled  afresh.     The  pitying  crowd 
Followed  apart,  but  no  one  spoke  to  her. 
She  had  no  kinsmen.     She  had  lived  alone  — 
A  widow  with  one  son.    He  was  her  all  — 
The  only  tie  she  had  in  the  wide  world  — 
And  lie  was  dead.     They  could  not  comfort  her. 

Jesus  drew  near  to  Xain  as  from  the  gate 
The  funeral  came  forth.     His  lips  were  pale 
With  the  noon's  sultry  heat.     The  beaded  sweat 
Stood  thickly  on  his  brow,  and  on  the  worn 
And  simple  latchets  of  his  sandals  lay, 


THE   WIDOW    OF   NAIN.  319 

Thick,  the  white  dust  of  travel.     lie  had  come 
Since  sunrise  from  Capernaum,  staying  not 
To  wet  his  lips  by  green  Bethsaida's  pool, 
Nor  wash  his  feet  in  Kishon's  silver  springs, 
Nor  turn  him  southward  upon  Tabor's  side 
To  catch  Gilboa's  light  and  spicy  breeze. 
Genesareth  stood  cool  upon  the  east, 
Fast  by  the  sea  of  Galilee,  and  there 
The  weary  traveller  might  bide  till  eve  ; 
And  on  the  alders  of  Bethulia's  plains 
The  grapes  of  Palestine  hung  ripe  and  wild ; 
Yet  turned  he  not  aside,  but,  gazing  on, 
From  every  swelling  mount,  he  saw  afar, 
Amid  the  hills,  the  humble  spires  of  Nain, 
The  place  of  his  next  errand  ;  and  the  path 
Touched  not  Bethulia,  and  a  league  away 
Upon  the  east  lay  pleasant  Galilee. 

Forth  from  the  city-gate  the  pitying  crowd 

Followed  the  stricken  mourner.     They  came  near 

The  place  of  burial,  and,  with  straining  hands, 

Closer  upon  her  breast  she  clasped  the  pall, 

And  with  a  gasping  sob,  quick  as  a  child's, 

And  an  inquiring  wildness  flashing  through 

The  thin  gray  lashes  of  her  fevered  eyes, 

She  came  where  Jesus  stood  beside  the  way. 

He  looked  upon  her  and  his  heart  was  moved. 

"  Weep  not !  "  he  said  ;  and  as  they  stayed  the  bier, 

And  at  his  bidding  laid  it  at  his  feet, 

He  gently  drew  the  pall  from  out  her  grasp, 

And  laid  it  back  in  silence  from  the  dead. 


320  THE    MOTHERS    OF    THE    BIBLE. 

With  troubled  wonder  the  mute  throng  drew  near, 
And  gazed  on  his  calm  looks.     A  minute's  space 
He  stood  and  prayed.     Then,  taking  the  cold  hand, 
He  said,  "  Arise  !  "     And  instantly  the  breast 
Heaved  in  its  cerements,  and  a  sudden  flush 
Ran  through  the  lines  of  the  divided  lips, 
And  with  a  murmur  of  his  mother's  name, 
He  trembled  and  sat  upright  in  his  shroud. 
And,  while  the  mourner  hung  upon  his  neck, 
Jesus  went  calmly  on  his  way  to  Nain. 


THE    SYROPHENICIAN    MOTHER. 

THE  time  for  the  third  passover  since  our  Lord 
commenced  his  ministry  had  arrived.  He  was 
expected  in  Jerusalem ;  but  he  went  not  up.  He 
knew  what  was  in  store  for  him.  "  The  ruling 
Jewish  authorities  there  had  definitely  concluded 
to  take  advantage  of  his  expected  visit  at  this 
passover,  to  accomplish  his  destruction  ;  and,  as 
Jesus  saw  that  absence  presented  the  only  natu- 
ral means  of  prolonging  his  ministry  to  its  due 
period,  he  postponed  the  lesser  to  the  greater 
obligation." 

Nor  did  he  even  feel  safe  in  Galilee  ;  for  the 
fate  of  John  might  follow  too  earnest  a  scrutiny 
of  his  proceedings  on  the  part  of  Herod  and  his 
evil-minded  partner,  who  saw  in  him  one  risen 
from  the  dead  —  an  object  of  "remorseless  hate 
and  secret  dread."  He  avoided  observation, 
therefore ;  and  finally  retired  entirely,  from 
Herod's,  dominions,  to  those  of  his  brother,  "  the 
lawful  husband  of  Herodias,  who  is  universally 


322  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

described  as  a  mild,  well- meaning  and  righteous 
prince." 

We  find  him  wandering  as  far  as  Tyre  and 
Sidon,  taking  up  his  abode  there,  in  the  hope  of 
escaping  observation.  How  many  thoughts  — 
sad  thoughts  —  must  have  crowded  on  his  mind 
as  he  gazed  on  the  ruins  everywhere  presented  to 
his  eye !  This  was  that  Tyre  which  once  sat  a 
queen  among  cities  ;  which,  in  her  pride,  had 
said,  "I  am  of  perfect  beauty ;"  whose  merchants 
dealt  in  "  emeralds,  and  purple,  and  broidered 
work,  and  fine  linen,  and  coral,  and  agate,  and 
pearls;"  of  which  "the  ships  of  Tarshish  did 
sing  in  the  market ;  "  which  was  "  glorious  in 
the  midst  of  the  seas."  How  fallen  now!  The 
noise  of  her  songs  hushed  forever !  the  sound  of 
her  harps  heard  no  more !  Her  walls  broken 
down !  her  pleasant  houses  destroyed !  her 
stones,  and  timber,  and  dust,  carried  into  the 
midst  of  the  waters !  No  vestige  of  her  former 
magnificence  remained.  A  miserable  collection 
of  huts  was  her  representative.  Among  these 
ruins  Jesus  walked,  wishing,  for  a  time,  to  be 
hidden  and  unknown. 


THE   SYROPIIENICIAN    MOTHER  323 

But  this  could  not  be. '  Multitudes  from  this 
region  had  attended  on  his  preaching,  had  heard 
his  sermon  on  the  mount,  and  been  witnesses  of 
his  mighty  works.  He  was  recognized  ;  and  it 
was  soon  whispered  round  that  he,  to  whose 
gracious  words  they  had  listened  with  delight, 
was  come  among  them.  The  tidings  reached  the 
ears  of  an  afflicted  mother,  who  had  seen  some 
of  his  healing  miracles,  or  heard  of  them  through 
her  friends.  She  waited  not  for  counsel,  nor 
stopped  to  consider  what  obstacles  might  prevent 
the  fulfilment  of  her  wishes.  She  sought  the 
house  where  he  abode.  She  hesitated  not ;  but 
instantly,  and  without  invitation,  presented  her- 
self before  him.  His  disciples,  burning  with  the 
hatred  which  every  Jew  cherished  toward  the 
Gentiles,  were  indignant  that  she  should  dare 
come  to  him,  and  regarded  her  with  undisguised 
malignity.  She  heeded  them  not.  Their  angry 
countenances  could  not  deter  her.  Casting  her- 
self upon  the  ground  before  him,  in  the  deepest 
humility,  with  agonizing  earnestness  she  cries, 
"  Have  mercy  on  me,  0  Lord,  thou  son  of 
David !  My  daughter  is  grievously  vexed  with  a 


324  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

devil."  It  was  the  cry  of  suffering  to  him  whose 
mercies  fail  not ;  but  it  seemed  to  fall  on  deaf 
ears.  "He  answered  her  not  a  word."  How 
strange  !  How  unlike  him  who  went  about  doing 
good,  who  seemed  always  to  delight  in  dispens- 
ing the  blessings  of  healing  and  strength  to  all 
that  came  to  him  !  For  the  first  time,  he  is  re- 
gardless of  the  cry  of  distressed  humanity. 

The  disciples  are  gratified  to  see  this  heathen 
woman  so  slighted  ;  but  they  are  not  satisfied. 
"Send  her  away!"  they  beg.  They  wish  to 
have  her  rebuked  as  well  as  slighted  ;  and  Jesus 
seems  to  approve  their  spirit,  for  he  replies  to  her 
renewed  entreaties,  "I  am  not  sent,  but  unto 
the  lost  sheep  of  the  house  of  Israel."  Can  it  be 
true  ?  Have  her  hopes  been  raised  in  vain  ?  Is 
he,  who  has  seemed  so  benevolent,  so  far  above 
human  prejudices,  so  sympathizing  and  tender- 
hearted, —  is  he  indeed  governed  by  the  narrow 
views  of  those  who  deem  themselves  the  only 
favorites  of  Heaven,  and  cast  out  all  others  as 
unclean  1  It  cannot  be.  She  cannot  believe  it. 
She  draws  still  nearer,  and  prostrates  herself  still 
lower,  and,  in  accents  which  mingle  the  most 


THE    SYROPHENICIAN   MOTHER.  325 

earnest  faith  with  deepest  distress,  entreats, 
"  Lord,  help  me."  Coldly  and  sternly,  appar- 
ently all  unmoved,  he  answers,  "  It  is  not  meet 
to  take  the  children's  bread,  and  cast  it  to  dogs." 
The  disciples  are  now  happy.  She  has  heard 
the  truth  for  once ;  she  will  go  now,  and  they 
will  be  troubled  no  more  by  these  Sidonians ; 
and  they  exult  as  if  a  great  victory  had  been 
gained.  How  does  she  feel,  that  afflicted 
mother  ?  We  look  to  see  her  rise  suddenly, 
with  flushed  face  and  haughty  mien,  and,  walk- 
ing quickly  away,  wounded  pride  and  anger 
overcoming  all  thought  of  the  errand  on  which 
she  came.  Will  she  be  called  a  dog  ?  Will  she 
endure  to  be  told  that  the  Creator  regards  her  so 
far  beneath  those  who  walk  the  same  earth  and 
breathe  the  same  air  as  herself?  This  same 
Jesus  has  not  hesitated,  before  this,  to  lay  his 
hand  on  the  loathsome  leper,  and  to  heal  the 
most  degraded  among  his  own  people,  —  will  she 
bear  to  be  told  that  her  precious  child  is  beneath 
his  notice,  and  must  perish  like  a  beast,  and  be 
regarded  as  such  ?  Will  she  take  meekly  the 
sneering  triumph  of  those  hard-hearted  men  ? 
28 


326  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

No  ;  she  has  trusted,  and  prayed,  and  been  dis- 
regarded. Worse  than  this ;  she  has  been 
taunted,  and  her  best  affections  trampled  on. 
She  will  return  to  her  daughter,  and  in  silence 
and  despair  endure  as  best  she  may. 

Thus  we  judge.  Thus  we  think  we  should  do. 
But  she  possesses  a  faith  and  a  humility  far  be- 
yond our  conception.  We  are  wholly  wrong. 
No  resentment  kindles  in  her  eye.  No  anger 
flushes  her  cheek.  No  sharpness  is  in  her  tone. 
Accepting  instantly  the  place  assigned  her,  and 
laying  no  claim  to  any  privileges  beyond,  she 
even  gathers  hope  from  what  seems  to  us  so  irri- 
tating and  harsh,  and  instantly  answers,  meekly 
and  trustingly,  "Truth,  Lord;  yet  the  dogs  eat 
of  the  crumbs  which  fall  from  their  master's 
table."  | 

His  end  is  answered.  He  had  read  her  heart, 
and  knew  what  love  and  faith  were  there,  and  he 
has  brought  them  forth.  His  assumed  sternness 
is  laid  aside,  and  from  the  depths  of  his  loving 
heart  he  answers,  "  0  woman,  great  is  thy  faith  ! 
be  it  unto  thee  even  as  thou  wilt." 

Study  this  scene,  ye  faithless  parents  !     Pon- 


THE    SYROPHENICIAN   WOMAN.  327 

der  it  deeply,  until  you  imbibe  its  spirit,  until 
you  feel  its  power.  Jesus  is  evermore  the  same  ; 
such  humility,  such  faith  will  always  prevail  with 
him. 

Dwell  upon  this  narrative,  also,  ye  bigoted  fol- 
lowers of  him  who  was  meek  and  lowly,  and 
behold  how  he  distinguishes  the  character  of  his 
own  children  under  every  guise,  and  learn  to 
judge  cautiously.  He  may  love  with  an  infinite 
love,  those  whom  ye  scorn. 


THE  GRANDMOTHER  AND  MOTHER  OF 
TIMOTHY. 

THE  types  and  shadows  have  passed  away. 
The  Antitype  has  appeared  and  accomplished  his 
earthly  work,  and  ascended  his  mediatorial  throne. 
The  old  dispensation  has  given  place  to  the  sim- 
pler rites  of  the  new.  Faith  is  substituted  for 
the  deeds  of  the  law,  and,  in  place  of  peculiar 
privileges  granted  to  a  few,  universal  love  and 
good- will  are  proclaimed  to  all  mankind.  "  Go 
ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  Gospel  to 
every  creature,"  was  the  last  command  of  their 
Lord,  and  his  disciples  are  already  working  zeal- 
ously for  its  fulfilment.  They  are  to  publish  the 
good  tidings  first  to  the  Jews  in  every  place, 
and  then  to  the  Gentiles,  for  he  will  have  all  men 
come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.  Paul  and 
Barnabas  have  set  out  on  their  first  missionary 
tour,  and  the  promised  Spirit  accompanies  and 
crowns  their  labors. 


GRANDMOTHER   AND   MOTHER    OF    TIMOTHY".    329 

In  the  small  town  of  Lystra,  not  far  from  Ico- 
nium,  dwelt,  in  the  days  of  the  apostles,  a 
family  in  whom  we  find  ourselves  extremely  in- 
terested. The  father  was  a  Greek ;  the  mother 
a  Jewess.  They  had  one  son ;  a  boy,  not  of 
robust  health  and  strong  constitution,  but  subject 
to  many  infirmities ;  yet  of  so  amiable  a  dispo- 
sition, and  such  excellence  of  character,  as  to 
win  the  esteem  and  love  of  all  who  knew  him. 

So  far  as  we  can  'ascertain,  there  was  no  syna- 
gogue in  Lystra,  most  of  the  inhabitants  being 
worshippers  of  Jupiter.  This  family  was,  con- 
sequently, deprived  of  the  privilege  of  public 
worship,  and  the  boy  grew  up,  not  only  without 
the  hallowing  influences  of  the  sanctuary,  but  in 
an  atmosphere  quite  adverse  to  the  spirit  of  true 
godliness,  and  surrounded  with  degrading  and 
debasing  examples.  But  he  was  not  left  without 
religious  culture.  His  grandmother  —  who  also 
lived  with  them  —  and  his  mother,  were  his  in- 
structors in  the  sacred  lore  of  their  people.  Al- 
though far  from  their  native  land,  and  deprived 
of  sympathy  and  companionship,  and  surrounded 
by  idolaters,  these  devoted  women  never  forgot 
28* 


330  THE   MOTHERS    OF    THE   BIBLE. 

their  God,  nor  departed  from  their  faith.  Nor 
did  they  neglect  the  duty  enjoined  on  all  Jewish 
parents  by  the  express  command  of  Jehovah. 

"  And  these  words  which  I  command  thee  this 
day  shall  be  in  thine  heart : 

"And  thou  shalt  teach  them  diligently  unto 
thy  children,  and  shalt  talk  of  them  when  thou 
sittest  in  thine  house,  and  when  thou  walkest  by 
the  way,  and  when  thou  liest  down,  and  when 
thou  risest  up." 

Whether  they  had  in  their  possession  a  copy 
of  the  books  of  Moses,  and  of  the  prophets,  and 
of  the  psalms,  or  whether  they  spoke  only  from 
remembrance  of  what  had  been  taught  them  in 
their  childhood,  we  do  not  know ;  but  it  is  cer- 
tain that  this  child  of  their  love  was  thoroughly 
instructed  in  all  these  scriptures.  From  the  story 
of  the  creation  on  through  all  the  scenes  of  Jew- 
ish history,  nothing  was  omitted  which  could 
interest  or  benefit  their  pupil.  The  sublime 
prophesyings  of  Isaiah  —  the  mournful  lament  of 
Jeremiah  —  the  example  of  Daniel  and  his  com- 
panions —  the  sweet  strains  of  the  psalmist  —  all 
were  familiar  to  him  from  his  earliest  years.  But 


GRANDMOTHER   AND    MOTHER    OF    TIMOTHY.    331 

especially  was  he  instructed  with  regard  to  His 
coming  who  was  to  redeem  Israel.  The  great 
prophet  of  whom  Moses  spoke  —  who  was  shad- 
owed forth  in  every  mysterious  rite  and  sacrifice 
of  their  religion  —  who  was  the  theme  of  poet 
and  sage ;  and  the  object  of  faith  to  every  son 
and  daughter  of  Abraham. 

Thus  was  young  Timothy,  by  his  knowledge 
of  holy  truth,  kept  from  contamination,  and  pre- 
served in  uprightness,  and  prepared  to  become  a 
laborious  and  faithful  preacher  of  righteousness, 
and  an  example  to  youth,  for  all  coming  time. 
***** 

In  their  journeyings,  Paul  and  Barnabas  have 
reached  Lystra.  They  find,  as  we  have  said,  no 
synagogue  there,  and,  consequently,  are  com- 
pelled to  deliver  their  message  wherever  they 
can  find  a  suitable  place,  and  the  inhabitants  at 
large  flock  to  hear  them.  Walking  one  day 
through  the  streets,  followed,  it  may  be,  by  a 
crowd,  Paul  sees,  sitting  by  the  way-side,  a  crip- 
ple, impotent  from  his  mother's  womb,  who  has 
never  walked.  Filled  with  the  sympathy  which 
his  Master  felt  before  him,  and  seeing  the  man 


332  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

interested,  he  speaks  with  a  loud  voice,  and  says, 
"  Stand  upright  on  thy  feet."  Receiving  in- 
stantly strength  from  above,  the  poor  sufferer 
joyfully  obeys,  and  is  seen  leaping  and  walking 
in  the  delight  of  new-found  faculties.  The  mul- 
titudes look  on  with  astonishment,  and  soon  the 
cry  is  heard,  "  The  gods  are  come  down  to  us  in 
the  likeness  of  men."  Barnabas  they  call  Jupi- 
ter, and  Paul,  Mercurius ;  and  immediately  prep- 
arations are  made  to  do  them  homage.  This  is 
soon  prevented  by  Paul,  who  tells  them  of  the 
only  living  and  true  God,  and  persuades  them  to 
desist.  Soon  after  this,  certain  evil-minded  Jews 
appear  from  Antioch  and  Iconium,  who  work 
upon  the  fickle  people  of  Lystra,  until  they  drag 
him  whom  they  would  have  worshipped  out  of 
the  city,  and  stone  him,  and  leave  him,  as  they 
suppose,  dead.  Around  his  braised  body  stand 
many  who  have  heard  the  Gospel  from  his  lips, 
and  among  them  young  Timothy.  On  his  heart, 
so  well  prepared,  the  story  of  Jesus  has  had  its 
full  effect.  For  the  first  time  the  Scriptures,  in 
which  he  is  so  well  versed,  appear  perfectly  clear 
to  his  mind.  A  new  light  shines  upon  them, 


GRANDMOTHER  AND   MOTHER  OF   TIMOTHY.    333 

He  embraces  the  crucified  Messiah  in  unfeigned 
faith,  and  becomes  a  most  useful  helper  to  Paul 
—  who,  as  we  know,  revived,  and  returned  to  his 
work  —  and  his  dearly  beloved  son  in  the  Gospel 

A  recent  missionary  traveller  thus  speaks  of 
his  feelings  on  approaching  what  he  supposed  to 
be  the  site  of  Lystra. 

' '  Full  of  the  impression  that  we  were  now 
near  the  birth-place  of  Timothy,  we  bent  our 
course  more  westerly,  through  a  narrow,  but  fer- 
tile and  most  lovely  ravine.  The  pebbly  brook, 
which  gave  fertility  to  the  vale,  was  overhung 
by  trees  of  a  larger  growth — walnut,  poplar,  and 
so  on — than  we  had  been  accustomed  to  see  on 
our  journey.  Vineyards,  gardens,  and  small 
orchards  of  fruit-trees  were  planted  in  conve- 
nient nooks  by  the  way.  A  rich  fragrance  was 
exhaled  from  the  wild  flowers  that  besprinkled 
the  ground,  and  only  the  murmuring  of  the  brook 
and  the  music  of  here  and  there  a  feathered 
songster  interrupted  the  stillness  which  pre- 
vailed. Along  these  quiet  paths,  I  said  within 
myself,  oft  trod  that  beloved  youthful  disciple, 
Timothy!  Beneath  such  shades  he  repeated, 


334  THE   MOTHERS    OF   THE   BIBLE. 

perhaps,  the  songs  of  Israel,  before  he  learned 
from  the  apostle  Paul  of  the  name  of  Jesus. 
Perhaps  he  was  inured  to  hardship  by  labor  in 
these  very  fields ;  or,  more  probably,  he  may 
have  passed  to  and  from  Iconium  with  burdens 
of  wood  and  returns  of  merchandise,  as  those 
who  dwell  here  now  do.  Precious  saint !  thy 
memory  breathes  a  richer  perfume  than  the 
flowers  of  thy  native  vales.  Through  the  long 
tract  of  ages,  thy  early  knowledge  of  the  holy 
scriptures,  thy  rigid  temperance,  thy  early  wis- 
dom, thy  youthful  piety,  thy  useful  labors,  thy 
name  of  good  report,  thy  apostolic  ministry, 
have  come  down,  with  refreshing  and  stimulating 
influence,  to  the  youth  of  our  own  and  of  all 
coming  times.  And,  ye  excellent  and  revered 
'  mother  Eunice  and  grandmother  Lois,'  So  hon- 
orably mentioned  by  an  apostle,  your  example 
shall  live  while  the  sun  and  moon  endure,  as  an 
encouragement  to  timely  and  faithful  parental 
instruction." 

It  seems  fitting  that  we  should  close  our  work 
with  this  delightful  illustration  of  the  results  of 


GRANDMOTHER   AND   MOTHER   OF   TIMOTHY.    335 

maternal  faithfulness,  in  early  imbuing  the  heart 
of  childhood  with  the  truths  of  the  Bible.  Sow 
thickly  the  good  seed  of  the  word,  and  water  it 
abundantly.  It  shall  surely  bring  forth  fruit  in 
which  you  will  rejoice.  It  is  God  himself  who 
has  commanded  it,  and  he  is  all-wise  and  knows 
the  best  means  to  any  sought-for  end.  He, 
moreover,  has  promised  "My  word  shall  not 
return  unto  me  void."  May  his  blessing  rest 
upon  all  endeavors  to  make  it  more  interesting 
and  precious  to  his  children,  and  upon  all  their 
labors  among  the  objects  of  their  love  and  care. 


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